title: [Quantitative gait analysis in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the gait disorders and postural instability in a group of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Gait was analysed in patients in advanced stages of PD on medication. Using a computerised analysis system, we studied the kinematic variables: cadence, number of correct gait cycles (HFPS cycles), total number of cycles, duration of the phases of the cycle, electromyography and a goniometric study of the knee and the ankle. The clinical appraisal of balance and postural instability was completed with the Tinetti and Timed Up and Go tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis showed alterations in the spatio-temporal parameters with respect to the ranges considered to be normal: reduction of the HFPS cycles, increase in the total number of cycles and alteration of the cadence in many patients. It also revealed that the mean cadence was kept within the limits of normal values, an increase in the duration of the contact phase, reduction of monopodal support and alteration of the joint range of motion of the knee and the ankle. Likewise, changes are also observed in the scores obtained on the clinical scales, which show an increase in the risk factor for falls and mild dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantification by objective analysis of the kinetic and kinematic variables in patients with PD can be used as a tool to establish the influence of the different therapeutic alternatives in gait disorders.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villadoniga
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: San Millan
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cabanes-Martinez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aviles-Olmos
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Alamo-De Pedro
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Espana.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Regidor
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture