An evaluation of self-administration of auditory cueing to improve gait in people with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a self-administration of auditory cueing on gait difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease over a one-week period.


METHODS
Single group pre and post test.


METHODS
Research lab, community.


METHODS
Twenty-one individuals with Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Self-application of an auditory pacer set at a rate 25% faster than preferred cadence.


METHODS
Self-selected gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support time with and without the pacer at the initial visit and after one week of pacer use.


RESULTS
During the initial visit, the auditory pacer improved gait speed (79.57 (18.13) cm/s vs. 94.02 (22.61) cm/s, P<0.0005), cadence (102.88 (11.34) step/min vs. 109.22 (10.23) steps/min, P=0.036) and stride length (94.33 (21.31) cm vs. 103.5 (22.65) cm, P =0.012). After one week, preferred gait speed was faster than the initial preferred speed (79.57 (18.13) vs. 95.20 (22.23) cm/s, P<0.0005). Stride length was significantly increased (94.33 (21.31) vs. 107.67 (20.01) cm, P =0.001). Double support time was decreased from 21.73 (5.23) to 18.94 (3.59)% gait cycle, P =0.016.


CONCLUSIONS
Gait performance in people with Parkinson's disease improved significantly after walking with the auditory pacer for one week.
School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mon.bryant@yahoo.com
M S
MS
Bryant
D H
DH
Rintala
E C
EC
Lai
E J
EJ
Protas
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012648:Self Care