Effect of thalamic stimulation on gait in Parkinson disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus stimulation on gait in idiopathic Parkinson disease.


METHODS
Clinical and physiological assessments were compared in patients with and without ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus stimulation.


METHODS
The research clinic of a university department of gait analysis.


METHODS
Seven patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease who had long-term monopolar stimulation of the ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus to control a large-amplitude tremor.


METHODS
Gait kinematic parameters were autonomically recorded using the Vicon optoelectric system for movement analysis. Measures of locomotor displacement (cadence, walking speed, stride and step times, single and double support times, and stride and step lengths) were computed successfully during 2 conditions: stimulation on and off. Traces of ankle joint position were also analyzed for the left and right lower limbs and for the affected and unaffected lower limbs.


RESULTS
No difference in mean values was observed between the 2 conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This study seems to confirm that ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus stimulation, effective in reducing tremor, does not modify gait parameters in idiopathic Parkinson disease.
Defebvre
L
L
Department of Gait Analysis, University of Lille, Lille, France.
Blatt
J L
JL
Blond
S
S
Bourriez
J L
JL
Gieu
J D
JD
Destée
A
A
D000843:Ankle Joint; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005684:Gait; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis; D011187:Posture; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000601:surgery; D016138:Walking