title: 24-hour recording of parkinsonian gait using a portable gait rhythmogram.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the advanced stage of Parkinson's disease (PD), motor fluctuation is a frequent and a disabling problem. Despite its importance, motor fluctuation has received little scientific analysis probably due to limitation in objective assessment. Here, we focused on gait disorders to estimate motor fluctuation in daily activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a new device, the portable gait rhythmogram, we recorded gait rhythm continuously over 24 hours in 22 patients with PD and in 11 normal controls, for quantitative evaluation of motor fluctuation. The duration of one gait cycle was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continuous 24-hour recording identified changes in gait rhythm, which correlated with fluctuation of PD symptoms. Different motor fluctuations were observed; a shift to a faster gait cycle was noted in patients with short-step walking, festination or freezing of gait, whereas a shift to a slower gait cycle was observed in patients with bradykinesia or instability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characterization of motor fluctuation using this device could help in the selection of appropriate anti-PD medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. mitoma@tokyo-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitoma
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoneyama
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orimo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors