Objective: This study aims to evaluate the interaction between FoG and antiparkinsonian medication on individuals with PD’s kinematic and kinetic gait parameters.

Background: Regarding Parkinson’s disease (PD) gait, few studies have evaluated kinematic and kinetic gait parameters about the effects of antiparkinsonian medication and freezing of gait (FoG). Morris et al. [1] evaluated differences between the gait of individuals with PD in drug conditions ON and OFF. Albani et al. [2] assessed gait between the FoG and nFoG groups in the OFF-medication state.

Method: Twenty-two PD idiopathic patients (17 males; 11 FoG; age = 64.1±10.5 years) walked on a 10-meter-long walkway with comfortable self-selected speed, in the ON and OFF medication state. Joint kinematics and kinetics variables were compared in the analyses: Group (FoG and nFoG) and Condition (ON and OFF) by linear mixed-effects models controlled by covariates (time of disease, LEDD, and UPDRS-III).

Results: Significant differences were found between the FoG and nFoG groups regarding greater knee flexion at initial contact; greater minimal knee flexion in terminal stance; lower ankle plantar flexion peak in load response, and higher ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of the FoG group compared to nFoG group. Regarding the effect of medication, both groups had in ON state a higher peak knee flexion during the swing phase, a greater range of pelvic rotation, and a greater range of hip adduction/abduction compared to the OFF state. However, no significant differences were observed regarding the interaction analysis.

Conclusion: These results indicate that medication improved gait performance in the groups with and without freezing of gait equivalently.

References: [1] MORRIS, M. et al. Three-dimensional gait biomechanics in Parkinson’s disease: evidence for a centrally mediated amplitude regulation disorder. Mov Disord 2005; 20(1): 40-50.
[2] ALBANI, G. et al. “Masters and servants” in parkinsonian gait: a three-dimensional analysis of biomechanical changes sensitive to disease progression. Funct Neurol 2014; 29(2): 99-105.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-freezing-of-gait-and-antiparkinsonian-medication-on-joint-kinematics-and-kinetics-in-gait-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/