Objective: To present and share unique methods to overcome freezing of gait (FOG) in parkinsonian disorders.

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) is an episodic and disabling gait disorder in patients with parkinsonism, characterized by the inability to initiate or continue locomotion. Pharmacological treatment is only partially effective in reducing FOG, but auditory or visual cues are sometimes helpful. Some patients or caregivers develop unique methods that they have invented or created by themselves.

Method: Among 300 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), several patients were selected. They present methods to overcome FOG by showing their home videos or in the outpatient clinic. A movement disorder specialist evaluated those methods.

Results: Methods developed by patients were, (1) intentional kneeling to proceed (PD), (2) pulling up the band looped around his right foot (PD), (3) using visual cue with rope on cane (PSP), (4) using visual cue by putting rolled newspapers in front of him (PSP). (5) kicking a box to proceed (PD).

Conclusion: The most stimulating point in these cases is that the patients themselves developed the unique methods, and that they have been benefiting from them for a long time. Clinicians who learn a new method of overcoming FOG from the patients are encouraged to extend the idea to other patients or caregivers.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/patient-developed-unique-methods-to-overcome-freezing-of-gait-in-parkinsonian-disorders/