Wearable Electronics Assess the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Balance and Gait in Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Currently, clinical evaluation represents the primary outcome measure in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, clinical evaluation may underscore some subtle motor impairments, hidden from the visual inspection of examiners. Technology-based objective measures are more frequently utilized to assess motor performance and objectively measure motor dysfunction. Gait and balance impairments, frequent complications in later disease stages, are poorly responsive to classic dopamine-replacement therapy. Although recent findings suggest that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can have a role in improving motor skills, there is scarce evidence for this, especially considering the difficulty to objectively assess motor function. Therefore, we used wearable electronics to measure motor abilities, and further evaluated the gait and balance features of 10 PD patients, before and (three days and one month) after the tDCS. To assess patients' abilities, we adopted six motor tasks, obtaining 72 meaningful motor features. According to the obtained results, wearable electronics demonstrated to be a valuable tool to measure the treatment response. Meanwhile the improvements from tDCS on gait and balance abilities of PD patients demonstrated to be generally partial and selective.

Far-infrared Radiation Improves Motor Dysfunction and Neuropathology in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Mice.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a polyglutamine neurodegenerative disease resulting from the misfolding and accumulation of a pathogenic protein, causing cerebellar dysfunction, and this disease currently has no effective treatments. Far-infrared radiation (FIR) has been found to protect the viability of SCA3 cells by preventing mutant ataxin-3 protein aggregation and promoting autophagy. However, this possible treatment still lacks in vivo evidence. This study assessed the effect of FIR therapy on SCA3 in vivo by using a mouse model over 28 weeks. Control mice carried a healthy wild-type ATXN3 allele that had a polyglutamine tract with 15 CAG repeats (15Q), whereas SCA3 transgenic mice possessed an allele with a pathological polyglutamine tract with expanded 84 CAG (84Q) repeats. The results showed that the 84Q SCA3 mice displayed impaired motor coordination, balance abilities, and gait performance, along with the associated loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, compared with the normal 15Q controls; nevertheless, FIR treatment was sufficient to prevent those defects. FIR significantly improved performance in terms of maximal contact area, stride length, and base support in the forepaws, hindpaws, or both. Moreover, FIR treatment supported the survival of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and promoted the autophagy, as reflected by the induction of autophagic markers, LC3II and Beclin-1, concomitant with the reduction of p62 and ataxin-3 accumulation in cerebellar Purkinje cells, which might partially contribute to the rescue mechanism. In summary, our results reveal that FIR confers therapeutic effects in an SCA3 transgenic animal model and therefore has considerable potential for future clinical use.

Long-Term Effect of Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of a pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser [high-intensity laser therapy (HILT)] in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 30 children participated in this study (15 in the laser group and 15 in the placebo group), with a mean age of 10.53 ± 1.25 years. Children who were randomly assigned to the laser group received HILT thrice per week for 4 weeks, plus the exercise program. HILT scanned each knee with 600 J in two phases and 15 J to 10 points for a total of 750 J for each knee. The placebo laser group received placebo HILT plus the same exercise program. The outcomes measured in this study were the pain level by the visual analog scale (VAS) and gait parameters by the GAITRite® system. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with repeated measures to compare the differences between the baseline, post-treatment, and 12-week follow-up measurements for both groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The VAS results significantly decreased post-treatment in the laser group relative to the placebo group and were still improved at the 12-week follow-up. Gait parameters significantly increased in the laser group after 4 weeks of treatment and after 12 weeks compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: HILT, when combined with an exercise program, appears to be more effective in children with JRA than a placebo laser procedure with exercises.

Retrospective Evaluation of Changes in Gait Patterns in Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy After Multilevel Surgery.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate changes in gait patterns after single-event multilevel surgery in children and adolescents with bilateral cerebral palsy. Three-dimensional instrumented pre- and postoperative gait data of 12 patients were compared to data of 12 healthy control subjects using principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of kinematic and kinetic gait data and detect gait differences. The differences between pre- and postoperative data and between postoperative data and data of control subjects were calculated using a linear mixed model. The results revealed 14 significant effects for pre- and postoperative waveforms and 11 significant effects for postoperative and control waveforms. Patients after single-event multilevel surgery walked with smaller internal foot progression angle throughout the gait cycle, lower knee flexion at initial swing, and earlier knee extension during terminal swing. Retained gait deviations included excessive pelvic tilt and internally rotated and flexed hips over the entire gait cycle. Contrary to our hypothesis, postoperative waveforms in the sagittal plane differed more from control waveforms than from preoperative waveforms. These results emphasize the importance of carefully planning further conservative therapy 2 years after single-event multilevel surgery.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Rebuilt Subchondral Bone In Vivo and Activated Wnt5a/Ca2+ Signaling In Vitro.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the optimal extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) intensity and to investigate its effect on subchondral bone rebuilt in vivo and Wnt5a/Ca2+ signaling in vitro using an osteoarthritis (OA) rat model and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), respectively. METHODS: OA rats treated with (OA + ESW group) or without (OA group) ESW (n = 12/group) were compared with healthy controls (control group, n = 12). Gait patterns and subchondral trabecular bone changes were measured. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction detected protein expression and gene transcription, respectively. RESULTS: The gait disturbances of OA + ESW group were significantly improved compared with the OA group at 6th and 8th weeks. The micro-CT analysis indicated that the BMD, BSV/BV, BV/TV, Tr.S, and Tr.Th are significantly different between OA group and OA + ESW group. Expression of Wnt5a was increased rapidly after ESW treatment at 0.6 bar and peaked after 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: ESW were positive for bone remodeling in joint tibial condyle subchondral bone of OA rat. ESW prevented histological changes in OA and prevented gait disturbance associated with OA progression. Optimal intensity of ESW induced changes in BMMSCs via activation of the Wnt5a/Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Radiotherapy Alone for Malignant Spinal Cord Compression in Young Men with Seminoma.

AIM: Seminomas are very radiosensitive tumors. Therefore, patients with malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) from seminoma may not require for neurosurgery in addition to radiotherapy. In this study, radiotherapy alone was evaluated in young men with MSCC from seminoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four young men with MSCC due to vertebral lesions from metastatic seminoma received radiotherapy alone. The impact of radiotherapy on motor function and gait function, local control of MSCC and survival were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: All patients showed improvement of motor function following irradiation. All patients who were not able to walk prior to radiotherapy regained their walking ability. One-year and two-year local control rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. Survival rates at one and two years were 75% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy alone resulted in excellent outcomes. If clear indications for neurosurgery are not given, radiotherapy alone can be considered the treatment of choice for patients with MSCC from seminoma.

Osteocondroma de rodilla en un triatleta aficionado / Knee osteochondroma in an amateur triathlete

Introducción: El estudio describe correlaciones clínicas radiológicas después de la observación de la imagen de un Osteocondroma con localización rara en la región posterior de la rodilla, en un triatleta aficionado. Objetivos: Presentar el caso clínico atípico de dolor en la rodilla, y demostrar la aplicabilidad de los exámenes complementarios en la práctica clínica osteopática. Resultados: El triatleta aficionado sufrió la influencia del entrenamiento y de factores intrínsecos de la biomecánica, acarreando lesiones por sobrecarga, visualizadas en los exámenes de imagen y correlacionadas en el análisis de la marcha y las pruebas físicas. Conclusiones: El análisis de la marcha y el razonamiento clínico y radiológico deberían aplicarse para la interpretación del origen de los síntomas y en la decisión de la Terapia Manipulativa Osteopática (AU)

Introduction: The study describes clinical radiological correlations after observation of the image of an Osteochondroma with uncommon localization in the posterior region of the knee in an amateur triathlete. Objectives: Present the atypical clinical case of pain in the knee, and demonstrate the applicability of the supplementary exams in clinical osteopathic practice. Results: The amateur triathlete suffered the influence of training and intrinsic biomechanical factors, involving injuries due to strain, displayed in the imaging tests and correlated in walking tests and physical examinations. Conclusions: Walking tests and clinical and radiological analysis should be applied in order to interpret the origin of the symptoms and the Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy decision (AU)

Plantar pressures and ground reaction forces during walking of individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the plantar pressures, temporal foot roll-over, and ground reaction forces (GRFs) between both limbs of subjects with unilateral transfemoral amputation and with those of able-bodied participants during walking. We also verify the relevance of a force plate and a pressure plate to discriminate changes in gait parameters of subjects with limb loss. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Biomechanics laboratory. SUBJECTS: A total of 14 subjects with unilateral transfemoral amputation and 21 able-bodied participants. METHODS: We used a force plate and a pressure plate to assess biomechanical gait parameters while the participants were walking at their self-selected gait speed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: We measured plantar pressure peaks in 6 foot regions and the instant of their occurrence (temporal foot roll-over); and GRF peaks and impulses of anterior-posterior (braking and propulsive phases), medial-lateral, and vertical (load acceptance and thrust phases) components. RESULTS: The thrust, braking, and propulsive peaks, and the braking and propulsive impulses, were statistically significantly lower in the amputated limb than in the sound limb (P < .05) and in able-bodied participants (P < .05). In the amputated limb, we observed higher pressure peaks in the lateral rearfoot and medial and lateral midfoot, and lower values in the forefoot regions compared to those in the other groups (P < .05). The temporal foot roll-over showed statistically significant differences among the groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The plantar pressures, temporal foot roll-over, and GRFs in subjects with unilateral transfemoral amputation showed an asymmetric gait pattern, and different values were observed in both of their lower limbs as compared with those of able-bodied subjects during walking. The force plate and pressure plate were able to determine differences between participants in gait pattern, suggesting that both plantar pressure and GRF analyses are useful tools for gait assessment in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation. Because of the convenience of pressure plates, their use in the clinical context for prosthetic management appears relevant to guide the rehabilitation of subjects with lower limb amputation.

The characteristics of physical activity and gait in patients receiving radiotherapy in cancer induced bone pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An objective measure of pain relief may add important information to patients' self assessment, particularly after a treatment. The study aims were to determine whether measures of physical activity and/or gait can be used in characterizing cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) and whether these biomarkers are sensitive to treatment response, in patients receiving radiotherapy (XRT) for CIBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were assessed before (baseline) and 6-8weeks after XRT (follow up). The following assessments were done: Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), activPAL™ activity meter, and GAITRite® electronic walkway (measure of gait). Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Pearson statistical analyses were done. RESULTS: Sixty patients were assessed at baseline; median worst pain was 7 and walking interference was 5. At follow up 42 patients were assessed. BPI worst pain, average pain, walking interference and total functional interference all improved (p<0.001). An improvement in functional interference correlated with aspects of physical activity (daily hours standing r=0.469, p=0.002) and gait (cadence r=0.341, p=0.03). The activPAL and GAITRite parameters did not change following XRT (p>0.05). In responder analyses there were no differences in activPAL and GAITRite parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Assessment of physical activity and gait allow a characterization of the functional aspects of CIBP, but not in the evaluation of XRT.

Fast and delayed locomotor response to acute high-dose nicotine administration in adult male rats.

The aim of the present study was to compare the immediate and delayed locomotor response to high-dose nicotine (NIC) administration in rats. The vertical and horizontal activity of behavior in adult male rats exposed to 1 mg/kg NIC or saline (SAL) were tested in a Laboras apparatus for one hour after drug application. Animals were then returned to their cages and housed for another seven days. After this period all animals were placed in Laboras again and their behavioral pattern was retested for another period of one hour (delayed response). Horizontal activity: immediately after nicotine administration animal were less mobile (first 2-minutes interval), when compared with controls. The immobilization effect of nicotine disappeared within 4 minutes and during whole first 10-minutes interval time spent by locomotion did not differ from controls. Locomotion activity of animals treated with nicotine increased robustly in following 10 minutes and remained significantly higher in 2nd, 3rd and 5th 10-minutes interval. Vertical activity: Rearing frequency was significantly lowered by NIC administration in first two minutes of the experiment and the same was found when the duration of rearing was analyzed. Lower rearing intensity of NIC treated animals disappeared in 4 minutes and was finally higher during whole test session as compared with controls. When duration of rearing was analyzed it was significantly longer in NIC treated animals. In majority of observed behavioral aspects there were no differences between NIC treated rats and controls seven days after NIC or SAL treatment. Our results reflect effect of NIC and we conclude that NIC significantly influences behavior of experimental animals.

Short-term effect of low-intensity, pulsed, electromagnetic fields on gait characteristics in older adults with low bone mineral density: a pilot randomized-controlled trial.

AIM: To evaluate the short-term effects of a 10-min exposure to low-intensity, pulsed, electromagnetic fields (PEF) on gait characteristics in older adults with low bone mineral density. METHODS: In a single-center, double-blind, randomized-controlled trial, community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years were randomized (3:2 ratio) to receive a 10-min treatment with PEF (mean intensity 1.5 mW) or placebo. The following gait parameters were assessed at baseline and just after the intervention/placebo with the GAITRite Portable Walkway system: self-selected gait speed (cm/s), stride length (cm), support base (cm) and double support phase (s). RESULTS: In the intervention group (25 patients), both self-selected gait speed and stride length increased significantly from baseline, whereas the double support phase decreased. In the placebo group, all gait parameters except for support base remained unchanged. The mean percent increase (± standard deviation) of self-selected gait speed was significantly (P = 0.010) greater in the intervention group (20.1 ± 15.6) compared with the placebo group (10.5 ± 13.1), whereas no significant difference in the mean percent variation of the other parameters was found between the two groups. During the intervention, no adverse event was observed. A similar proportion of patients in the two groups reported one fall in the 30 days after the intervention/placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized-controlled trial showing the potential beneficial effects of PEF on gait characteristics in older adults. Further phase III randomized trials are warranted to establish their potential benefits (e.g. fall prevention) on fall-related health outcomes in elderly patients.

Relación entre la posturografía estática y el análisis de la marcha con el índice de discapacidad por vértigo en pacientes con enfermedad vestibular / Relationship between static posturography and gait analysis with the dizziness handicap inventory in vestibular patients

Introducción y objetivo. La posturografía permite evaluar alteraciones del control postural en pacientes con enfermedad vestibular. Por otro lado, el cuestionario Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) cuantifica el impacto de estas enfermedades en la vida diaria del enfermo. En este trabajo se pretende conocer la relación que existe entre los resultados de las pruebas de posturografía y las puntuaciones obtenidas en el DHI. Material y métodos. Un total de 29 sujetos con enfermedades vestibulares realizaron pruebas de posturografía estática y estudio de marcha. Para ello se empleó el sistema NedSVE/IBV. Igualmente contestaron a las preguntas planteadas en el DHI. Resultados. Se encontró una correlación positiva con significación estadística entre los resultados de la posturografía estática y las puntuaciones de las escalas funcional y física del DHI. Se observó una correlación negativa estadísticamente significativa al relacionar la velocidad de la marcha con la escala funcional del test. Igualmente, se obtuvo una asociación positiva y significativa entre el tiempo de apoyo y las puntuaciones obtenidas en todas las escalas de este cuestionario. Los resultados en la fuerza de oscilación mostraron significación estadística al compararlos con el DHI. Conclusiones. Los parámetros de la posturografía estática que se relacionan directamente con el desplazamiento (velocidad, desplazamiento anteroposterior y las fuerzas) junto con el estudio de la marcha, podrían llegar a ser útiles para conocer la discapacidad percibida por un sujeto de acuerdo a las puntuaciones observadas en el cuestionario DHI (AU)

Objective. The posturography evaluates postural control abnormalities in patients with vestibular disorders. On the other hand, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire quantifies the impact of these diseases on the patient's daily life. This paper has aimed to know the relationship between posturography test results and the DHI scores. Material and Methods. A total of 29 subjects with vestibular diseases underwent a static posturography and gait analysis. The system used was NedSVE/IBV. The patients also answered DHI questions. Results. We found a statistically significant positive correlation between static posturography outcomes and physical-functional DHI scores. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between gait speed and functional scale results. Similarly, there was a significant and positive correlation between time of support and the scores obtained on all the scales of the questionnaire. The results on the strength of oscillation showed statistical significance when compared with the DHI. Conclusions. The parameters of static posturography directly related with displacement (velocity, anteroposterior displacement and forces) and the gait analysis could be useful to know the self-perceived disability according to the scores observed in the DHI (AU)

Valoración pedobarográfica de 17 pacientes intervenidos con artrodesis de tobillo / Pedobarographic assessment of 17 patients with ankle arthrodesis

Objetivo. Analizar la modificación de las presiones plantares durante la marcha en pacientes con artrodesis de tobillo. Pacientes y metodología. Se estudió el apoyo plantar en 17 pacientes (14 hombres y 3 mujeres) intervenidos con una artrodesis de tobillo, 13 del lado derecho y 4 del izquierdo, de causa postraumática, con un seguimiento mínimo de tres años (3 a 9). Se descartaron pacientes con patologías asociadas que afectaban a la extremidad intervenida. La edad media fue de 40 (26 a 54) años y el peso medio de 89 (54 a 117)kg. Se realizó una exploración clínica y se obtuvieron las huellas plantares al caminar sobre una plataforma de presiones. El pie fue dividido en 6 zonas y comparamos el pie operado con el contralateral. Resultados. El pie operado presentaba una presión total, fuerza, y área de apoyo total menor que el pie no operado. Por el contrario, el tiempo de apoyo fue superior en el pie operado. Las presiones del talón, mediopié y en el antepié en conjunto, aunque no significativas, fueron mayores en el pie artrodesado. Sin mostrar significación, la porción interna del antepié y el apoyo sobre los dedos fueron menores en el pie artrodesado mientras que aumentaron en la porción central y externa del antepié. Conclusión. Las presiones en el mediopié y en la zona interna y central del antepié aumentan con la artrodesis por la modificación de la bóveda plantar que descarga el apoyo del talón y del primer dedo (AU)

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare and analyse the changes in plantar pressure whilst walking, in patients with ankle arthrodesis by means of kinetic and kinematical motion analysis and plantar support studies. Patients and method. We studied 17 patients (14 males and 3 females) with post-traumatic ankle arthrodesis (13 right side and 4 left side) with a minimum follow up of three years (3–9 years). There were no other associated lower extremity pathologies. The mean age was 40 years (26–54 yrs.) and mean weight 89kg (54–117kg). A physical examination and pedography was performed (Emed®, Novel, Munich, Germany). The foot was divided into 6 zones and we compared the fused one with the control. Results. The fused ankle had lower total pressures, vertical forces and support area compared to the non-fused. On the other hand, the support time was greater in the fused ankle. Pressures on the heel, midfoot and forefoot were higher in the fused side. We confirmed higher pressures in the forefoot and toes in the external and central part of the fused side. Conclusion. Pressures on the midfoot and internal and central part of the forefoot are greater after an ankle arthrodesis due to changes in the plantar arch that release support from the heel and the first toe (AU)

Radiation therapy for early stages of morbus Ledderhose.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of early stages of benign plantar fibromatosis (Morbus Ledderhose [ML]). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2003 to 2008, 24 patients (33 sites) with a mean age of 52 years received RT for symptomatic ML. Prior to RT, 19 patients complained of pain and 15 had walking difficulties. 21 patients (28 sites) were irradiated with orthovoltage X-rays and three (five sites) received electron-beam irradiation. The RT protocol consisted of five weekly fractions of 3.0 Gy (15 Gy), repeated after 6 weeks to a total dose of 30 Gy in 20 patients (28 sites). In four patients (five sites), two single fractions of 4.0 Gy were applied, repeated at intervals of 4 weeks to total doses of 24-32 Gy. Primary study endpoints were the prevention of disease progression and the avoidance of a surgical intervention. Secondary endpoints were pain relief, improvement of gait, and patients' subjective satisfaction measured with a linear analog scale (LAS). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 22.5 months, none of the patients experienced a progression of number and size of the lesions or the clinical symptoms. In eleven sites (33.3%) complete remission of cords or nodules occurred, in 18 (54.5%) a reduced number or size was noted, and four sites (12.1%) were unchanged. Pain relief was achieved in 13/19 patients (68.4%), and an improvement of gait abnormalities was noted in 11/15 patients (73.3%). The patients' subjective satisfaction measured by means of the LAS revealed a median improvement of 3.5 points in 22/24 patients (91.6%). Skin or soft tissues toxicities RTOG grade > 2 were not noted. CONCLUSION: RT is effective for treatment of the early stages of ML and may obviate the need for a surgical intervention. Long-term follow-up studies including a larger number of patients are required to define the role of RT in the management of this disorder.

Deep brain stimulation effect on freezing of gait.

The majority of patients with Parkinson's disease suffer from freezing of gait (FOG), which responds more or less to levodopa. Thalamic stimulation, mainly used in the treatment of tremor dominant Parkinson's disease is ineffective in FOG. GPi stimulation moderately improves FOG, but this effect may abate in the long term. STN stimulation was reported to improve levodopa-responsive FOG. In some patients, the benefit from levodopa is greater than that from STN stimulation, and levodopa and STN stimulation can have additive effects. On the contrary, STN stimulation is ineffective on levodopa-resistant FOG. In the few cases of levodopa-induced FOG, STN stimulation can indirectly be effective, thanks to a great decrease or arrest of levodopa. Stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus has recently been performed in small groups of patients suffering from both off- and on-levodopa gait impairments. The first results appear encouraging, but they need to be confirmed by controlled studies in larger series of patients.

Unilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation has a measurable ipsilateral effect on rigidity and bradykinesia in Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves motor function in Parkinson disease (PD). However, little is known about the quantitative effects on motor behavior of unilateral STN DBS. METHODS: In 52 PD subjects with STN DBS, we quantified in a double-blinded manner rigidity (n=42), bradykinesia (n=38), and gait speed (n=45). Subjects were tested in four DBS conditions: both on, left on, right on and both off. A force transducer was used to measure rigidity across the elbow, and gyroscopes were used to measure angular velocity of hand rotations for bradykinesia. About half of the subjects were rated using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (part III) motor scores for arm rigidity and repetitive hand rotation simultaneously during the kinematic measurements. Subjects were timed walking 25 feet. RESULTS: All subjects had significant improvement with bilateral STN DBS. Contralateral, ipsilateral and bilateral stimulation significantly reduced rigidity and bradykinesia. Bilateral stimulation improved rigidity more than unilateral stimulation of either side, but there was no significant difference between ipsilateral and contralateral stimulation. Although bilateral stimulation also increased hand rotation velocity more than unilateral stimulation of either side, contralateral stimulation increased hand rotation significantly more than ipsilateral stimulation. All stimulation conditions improved walking time but bilateral stimulation provided the greatest improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral STN DBS decreased rigidity and bradykinesia contralaterally as well ipsilaterally. As expected, bilateral DBS improved gait more than unilateral DBS.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is effective in the treatment of depression in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). However, since research into the effect of this type of rTMS regime on motor function is limited, we studied the effect of rTMS over the DLPFC on the motor functions in PD patients. METHODS: Thirteen patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups, one receiving real-rTMS (90% of resting motor threshold, 10 Hz, 450 pulses-day for 10 consecutive days) over the DLPFC contralateral to the more affected side, and the other group receiving sham-rTMS. Assessment included a clinical motor evaluation using part III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and several motor tasks. The UPDRS was applied before and after 10 days of rTMS. Finger tapping, reach movement, grip movement and gait were measured in each session before and after the rTMS over the 10 day period. RESULTS: Statistical analysis (ANOVA for repeated measures; group *day *side *rTMS) only showed a significant effect for finger tapping, reach movement and gait for the factor day. No significant change was reported for the UPDRS in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Application of rTMS over the DLPFC as a 10 day course had no significant effect on motor functions and clinical motor status, and the improvement in performance of motor tasks can be attributed to the effects of practice. SIGNIFICANCE: rTMS over the DLPFC did not lead to any motor improvement in PD patients.

Impact of subthalamic nucleus stimulation on the initiation of gait in Parkinson's disease.

The effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation on the anticipatory postural actions associated with the initiation of gait were studied in ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease undergoing therapeutic deep brain stimulation. Kinematic, dynamic and electromyographic analysis was performed before and while subjects were starting gait in response to an external cue. Effects of STN stimulation on the standing posture preceding the go signal included significant improvement of the vertical alignment of the trunk and shank, decrease of the hip joint moment, backward shift of the center of pressure (CoP) and reduction of abnormal tonic and/or rhythmic activity in the thigh and leg muscles. Responses to bilateral STN stimulation were more consistent than those evoked by unilateral stimulation. Moreover, comparison between postural changes induced by STN stimulation applied prior to the gait initiation cue and during simple quiet standing revealed more significant responses in the former condition. Effects on the actual gait initiation process included shortening of the imbalance phase, larger backward/lateral displacement of CoP and more physiological expression of the underlying anticipatory muscular synergy. Additional changes were shortening of the unloading phase, shortening of the first-swing phase and increase in the length of the first step. Results demonstrate substantial influence of STN stimulation on functionally basic motor control mechanisms. In particular, the evidence of more significant responses upon attention-demanding conditions and the remarkable effects on postural programmes sub-serving feed-forward regulation of the onset of complex multijoint movements, suggests a consistent action on postural sub-systems relying on cognitive data processing and internal models of body mechanics.

Effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on balance and finger control in Parkinson's disease.

We aimed to quantify the effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD) on stance and gait ("axial"motor control), and related this to effects on finger movements ("appendicular" motor control). Fourteen PD patients and 20 matched controls participated. Subjects completed several balance and gait tasks (standing with eyes open or closed, on a normal or foam surface; retropulsion test; walking with eyes closed; walking up and down stairs; Get Up and Go test). Postural control was quantified using trunk sway measurements (angle and angular velocity) in the roll and pitch directions. Subjects further performed a pinch grip reaction time task, where we measured isometric grip forces, as well as movement and reaction times. Patients were examined with STN stimulators switched on or off (order randomised across patients), always after a supramaximal levodopa dosage. STN stimulation improved postural control, as reflected by a reduced trunk sway tremor during stance, a reduced duration for all gait tasks, an increased trunk pitch velocity while rising from a chair, and improved roll stability. STN stimulation also improved finger control, as reflected by a reduced time to reach maximum grip force, without altering reaction times and maximum force levels. Improvements in finger control timing did not correlate with reduced task durations during gait. We conclude that STN stimulation affords improvement of postural control in PD, over and above optimal drug treatment. STN stimulation also provides a simultaneous effect on distal and axial motor control. Because improvements in distal and axial motor control were not correlated, we assume that these effects are mediated by stimulation of different structures within the STN.