Assessment of ground reaction force components in parkinsonian patients

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ground reaction force components in Parkinsonian patients and to compare them with that of age matched normal subjects. Twenty Parkinsonian patients and ten normal subjects participated in this study. This study calculated kinetic quantities of human gait, by using all components of the ground reaction force [vertical load, horizontal shear forces in the fore-aft and mediolateral directions], both in normal subjects and Parkinsonian patients by using force plate form. The results of this study showed a highly significant reduction of ground reaction force in all parameters of ground reaction force of Parkinsonian patients when compared with control group, except the reduction of the mediolateral component of the first peak which was non significant. So assessment of ground reaction force should be considered as a valuable tool in diagnosis, rehabilitation and prognosis of Parkinsonian patients