Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new method of gait rehabilitation in PD, based on the activation of the heel off phase.
Background: Gait disorders in PD manifest as disorders of walk initiation, speed of walking, length and height of the step. As PD progresses the phenomenon of freezing joins and often leads to falls. Hypotheses: gait rehabilitation based on strengthening the back push of foot (heel off phase) will reduce the risk of falls and improve gait patterns. The idea of the method is mechanical activation of the heel off moment by means of stimulating platforms. The platforms are fixed on the patient’s leg and, thanks to the spring base, help to lift the foot from the floor surface, bring the foot forward, increasing the length and height of the step.
Method: The study included 60 patients with PD, 2-3 stage by Hoehn-Yahr, akinetic-rigid and mixed form. Each patient had 14 sessions of 40-60’ for 2 weeks using the method under discussion. Before and after the course of rehabilitation, research methods were: neurological examination, objective assessment of gait using «Laser analyzer of kinematic gait parameters» (LA-1), 3D Video motion analysis, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Scale and Dynamic Gait Index.
Results: According to the objective assessment of the kinematic gait parameters, statistically significant improvements were found in the main parameters of gait: step length (before the course of correction – 0.46 [0.39; 0.55] and after – 0.54 [0.48; 0.62] m (p=0.001) and walking speed (before – 0.68 [0.55; 0.88] and after 0.88 [0.69; 1.02] m/s; p=0.001). The steps became longer (on average by 10 cm) and longer, and the walking speed increased. According to assessment of gait by 3D video motion analysis we observed improvement of the basic parameters of the gait: reduction the double and single support time, increased step length, walking speed, reduced time of foot off moment, increased angle of plantar extension.
Conclusion: The method showed the effectiveness in restoring gait disorders in patients with PD.
The method improves the pattern of walking, can reduce the risk of falls and injuries in patients with PD.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Ismailova, S. Prokopenko. Correction of gait pattern in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2021; 36 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/correction-of-gait-pattern-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed May 24, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2021
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/correction-of-gait-pattern-in-parkinsons-disease/