Gait Analysis in Patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease during Obstacle Crossing

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare gait parameters of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) during obstacle crossing with those of healthy control subjects. METHOD: Conventional physical examinations and three- dimensional gait analysis were performed on 16 patients of IPD with stage 2~3 of the Hoehn and Yahr disease rating scale, and 11 healthy control subjects during stepping over the obstacle. Temporospatial, kinematic and kinetic parameters of patients were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: In patients with IPD, walking velocity was slower and stride length were shorter than control group. Decreased post-obstacle distance of the lead limb and increased pre-swing time of the lead and trail limbs were noted in IPD patients compared to control group. Many significant modifications of kinematic and kinetic parameters were detected in IPD patients compared to control group during obstacle crossing. CONCLUSION: Using three-dimensional gait analysis, we could identify specific modifications of gait parameters in IPD patients during obstacle crossing. These modifications may reduce or increase the risk of a falling in IPD patients.