Session Information
Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Session Title: Phenomenology and Clinical Assessment of Movement Disorders
Session Time: 1:15pm-2:45pm
Location: Les Muses Terrace, Level 3
Objective: To explore the applicability of an ambulatory inertial sensor (G-walk) to characterize gait function during the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test.
Background: In Parkinson’s disease (PD), treatment management is essentially based on clinicians’ exam and patients-reported outcomes. Ambulatory inertial sensors allow for more objective, non-invasive, wireless transmission of quantitative data and therefore, may represent an advantageous tool in ambulatory settings.
Method: Nineteen (19) PD patients (H&Y <4) and 10 age-matched controls (CTRL) were consecutively enrolled to undergo inertial TUG (iTUG) testing under three experimental conditions: normal walking (iTUGnorm), dual task walking (iTUGcog), and at maximum speed (iTUGfast). The time needed to complete each test was sub-divided into six distinct phases: sit-to-stand (1), forward gait (2), mid-turn (3), return gait (4), end-turn (5) and stand-to-sit (6). Other assessments included UDPRS Part III, MoCA, depression, fatigue, and Benton visual test.
Results: A total of nineteen PD patients and ten CTRL completed all assessments. One-way ANOVA and correlation analysis were performed. Different patterns of kinematic performance were observed. In PD, iTUG correlations were found with cognitive function, visual performance, and motor severity, while in HC there was a correlation with motor performance only. iTUGfast performance seemed more sensitive experimental condition when PD was stratified by severity.
Conclusion: iTUG assessed by an ambulatory inertial sensor is a quick, sensitive and feasible tool for objective measurements of functional mobility in PD. Utilizing validate tests for mobility and gait under different stress condition can provide distinct information of gait function and mobility. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to better characterize the sensitivity to disease progression and the potential for monitoring and optimizing therapeutic interventions in this patient population.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
K. Sharma, A. Cucca, R. Sills, J. Jung, A. Feigin, M. Biagioni. Kinetic Sensors for Ambulatory Gait and Balance Evaluation in Parkinson’s Disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2019; 34 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/kinetic-sensors-for-ambulatory-gait-and-balance-evaluation-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2019 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/kinetic-sensors-for-ambulatory-gait-and-balance-evaluation-in-parkinsons-disease/