Gait analysis in patients with Parkinson's disease off dopaminergic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) off dopaminergic therapy with a group of healthy control subjects.


METHODS
A group-comparison study.


METHODS
Gait analysis laboratory.


METHODS
Patients with PD (n=20) and healthy age-matched controls (n=20).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic gait variables.


RESULTS
PD patients walked slower with shorter stride-length, comparable cadence, and longer double support times. Kinematics showed a reduction of the range of motion in the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Maximum hip extension and the ankle plantar flexion were significantly reduced. Kinetic gait parameters showed reduced push-off ankle power and lift-off hip power generation. Strong correlations between these important body advancement mechanisms and the walking velocity were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to previously described dysfunctional kinematics, abnormal kinetic parameters play an important role in the characterization of gait in PD patients off therapy. Hence, these parameters could be used to document treatment effects of parkinsonian gait disorders.
Svehlík
Martin
M
Paediatric Orthopaedic Unit, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, Graz, A-8036, Austria. martin.spejlik@seznam.cz
Zwick
Ernst B
EB
Steinwender
Gerhardt
G
Linhart
Wolfgang E
WE
Schwingenschuh
Petra
P
Katschnig
Petra
P
Ott
Erwin
E
Enzinger
Christian
C
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa