Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between turning performance and disease severity, measured by the MDS-UPDRS and PDQ-39, in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using quantitative kinematic parameters.
Background: Turning performance is a complex part of walking, as it requires two-directional (rather than simply forward) movement modification and additional cognitive processes for constant re-orientation of the body. As a result, deficits in turning maneuvers are common and represent a major challenge to activities of daily living in PD patients. Despite its clinical importance, objective measurement of turning performance of PD patients is limited, and few quantitative analyses have investigated correlations of turning kinematic parameters with clinical assessments of PD severity.
Method: This cohort study included 112 physician-diagnosed PD patients (MDS-UPDRS Total 63.3±22.7) who retained the ability to walk independently without an assistive device. PD severity was assessed using the MDS-UPDRS (I, II, III, and IV) and the PDQ-39 survey. Turning and gait kinematics were captured using six wearable IMU sensors (Opal V2C, Clario company, PO) during functional mobility assessments including TUG, 8m walk and turn, and Figure-of-8 tests.
Results: We found that the turning velocity (deg/s) and duration (s) during a 180° turn were significantly correlated with the UPDRS-II, UPDRS-total, and PDQ-39 scores, whereas no significant correlation was observed between turning kinematics and the UPDRS-III score. The completion time (r=.61) and total number of steps (r=.52) in the Figure-8 test showed significant correlations with the UPDRS-total score (p<.0001), but no correlation was found with the UPDRS-III score.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that kinematic parameters of turning performance are more strongly associated with functional mobility limitations in daily life and overall disease burden among individuals with Parkinson’s disease than typical motor complications. Therefore, objective measures of turning may serve as an additional tool for assessing disease severity and progression, as well as a potential early indicator of Parkinson’s disease.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
G. Reinking, N. Meier, E. Lee. Quantitative Assessment of Turning Kinematics and its Association with Parkinson’s Disease Severity [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quantitative-assessment-of-turning-kinematics-and-its-association-with-parkinsons-disease-severity/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quantitative-assessment-of-turning-kinematics-and-its-association-with-parkinsons-disease-severity/