Gait in Parkinson's disease

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Abstract

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) possess motor symptoms that influence several kinematic and kinetic aspects of gait. These deficits present particular problems as they place the person with PD at risk for falls and contribute to their perception of quality of life and disability. Although gait disturbances can occur during straight line walking they worsen in more challenging situations utilizing speed changes, for instance, gait involving turns, obstacle avoidance, and narrow corridors which further contribute to increased fall risk. However, a person with PD can improve their gait performance with training that supplements medical treatment. Utilization of repetitive practice, progressive exercise, and other motor learning principles result in physical benefits required when walking. Adopting the use of external cues such as auditory, visual, or tactile stimulation when training can also enhance motor performance even during challenging gait. Thus the alterations in walking gait biomechanics accompanying PD can improve by augmenting the standard medical treatment with training exercises which physically challenge and sensory stimulate the individual with PD. This chapter does not offer a complete review of literature on the different aspects of Parkinson's gait. Instead, the chapter presents insight to various aspects of the disease to understand its influence on walking gait biomechanics. Sections include: (1) an introduction to PD; (2) clinical features of the disorder; (3) motor complications of PD gait; (4) non-motor influences on PD gait; (5) treatments for PD gait; and (6) a brief summary.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Gait Biometrics: Basic Patterns, Role of Neurological Disorders and Effects of Physical Activity

First Page

65

Last Page

101

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