Objective: To evaluate the effects of phase-specific vibrotactile cues applied during swing and stance phases of the gait cycle on spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Gait impairments in PD contribute to functional dependence and increased risk of falls. Vibrotactile cueing has emerged as a potential approach to improve gait in people with PD. However, the effects of phase-specific vibrotactile cueing applied during different phases of the gait cycle remain unclear.

Method: Seventeen participants with PD (mean age 67.1 ± 7.91 years; 12 males, Hoehn and Yahr stage <3) were included in the study. Gait was assessed during the ON-medication phase under three conditions: no vibration, stance-phase vibration, and swing-phase vibration. Phase-specific vibrotactile cues were delivered through smart shoes equipped with vibration motors. Spatiotemporal gait data were collected using a 12-camera Vicon T40 three-dimensional motion analysis system. Differences in gait parameters of step time, stride time, cadence, walking speed, step length, stride length, double support time and single support time between conditions were assessed.

Results: Spatiotemporal gait parameters varied across vibration conditions. Stance-phase vibration was associated with shorter step time (0.529 ± 0.04 s vs 0.538 ± 0.04 s) and stride time (1.060 ± 0.08s vs 1.074 ± 0.09 s) compared with the no-vibration condition, accompanied by an increased cadence (113.99 ± 9.92 vs 112.53 ± 10.08 steps/min) (all p < 0.05). Walking speed was higher during swing-phase vibration (1.287 ± 0.22 vs 1.248 ± 0.23 m/s) compared to no vibration (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other spatial gait parameters.

Conclusion: Phase-specific vibrotactile cueing influenced several spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with PD. Stance-phase cues primarily affected temporal gait parameters, while swing-phase cues increased walking speed. Further studies with larger samples and functional gait tasks are needed to determine the optimal timing of vibrotactile cueing for gait rehabilitation.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-phase-specific-vibrotactile-cueing-on-spatiotemporal-gait-parameters-in-parkinsons-disease/