Objective: The purpose of this study is to objectively evaluate the gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease showing abnormal tandem gait, using three-dimensional motion analysis.
Background: The tandem gait test is a neurological examination commonly used to assess balance. It has been known to be generally maintained in early Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent studies have reported that tandem gait test is also frequently impaired in early stage of PD and can predict the risk of falls. This study aims to investigate the usefulness of tandem gait test in de novo PD using three-dimensional gait analysis.
Method: This is a cross-sectional, single center study. The 133 patients with de novo PD were enrolled in our study. The tandem gait scale, which was used in scale for assessment and rating ataxia, was used to evaluate tandem walking. The one or more points out of a total score of four were defined as an impaired tandem gait. Demographic data including fall history were obtained, and the Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y stage), and extended Timed up and go (eTUG) test were performed. Gait and balance analysis was performed through three-dimensional motion analysis (VICON). The balance sense during walking was evaluated by measuring the 3-axis variability of markers attached to the waist.
Results: Among all subjects, 83 showed abnormal tandem gait, and there was no difference in H&Y stage between the patients with intact tandem gait and those with abnormal tandem gait. However, there were differences in falling history and eTUG (p<0.01, both) between two groups. The gait analysis showed significant differences in stride length (p<0.01) and walking speed (p<0.01). There was also a significant difference in the vertical range and velocity of makers on waist during walking (p=0.01, p<0.01, respectively) between two groups.
Conclusion: Our results revealed that impaired tandem gait are commonly observed in de novo PD. Patients showing abnormalities in tandem gait scale also demonstrated a decrease abnormality in quantitative analysis of gait and balance. Tandem gait test is the useful screening tool that can easily measure gait and balance including falling risk in initial assessment of PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
JS. Park, HT. Kim, SH. Lim. Clinical usefulness of tandem gait test for estimating gait and balance in de novo Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2023; 38 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/clinical-usefulness-of-tandem-gait-test-for-estimating-gait-and-balance-in-de-novo-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2023 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/clinical-usefulness-of-tandem-gait-test-for-estimating-gait-and-balance-in-de-novo-parkinsons-disease/