Objective: To analyze the motion characteristics of the shoulder and hip joints during gait in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and explore the classification of movement patterns based on individual differences.

Background: The effectiveness of rehabilitation for PwP has been demonstrated, but personalized interventions tailored to individual patients are crucial. Based on PwP gait characteristics, we have proposed the following three subtypes.Rigid Type (RT):The gait is marked by small and slow movements.Loose Type (LT): The gait tends to exhibit an imbalanced arm swing rhythm.

Hemi-Type (HT):The affected side shows a marked reduction in arm swing and step length.However, this classification is based on subjective evaluations by therapists, and its validity using objective numerical data remains unverified. Therefore, this study aims to quantify gait data and investigate the feasibility of subtype classification using objective indicators.

Method: The subjects were 29 people (19 women and 10 men) diagnosed with PwP. The mean Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) score was 1.27±0.5. The mean age was 64.4±8.5 years.Each participant was fitted with 17 IMU sensors (Xsens) on the upper limbs, lower limbs, trunk, and head, and performed three trials of comfortable-speed walking over a 5-meter distance.For analysis, data were converted into single gait cycles. The following three comparison metrics were evaluated,Range of Motion (ROM),Symmetry Index (SI),Jerk Square Mean (JSM).

Results: ROM in both the shoulder and hip joints was greater in LT than in RT.Shoulder SI was highest in HT, indicating pronounced asymmetry, whereas hip SI was lowest in HT compared to other types.JSM was higher in LT, suggesting numerical evidence of movement imbalance.

Conclusion: While statistical significance was not achieved, the results were consistent with clinical experience and suggested the feasibility of objective classification based on gait characteristics.However, since many participants had prior experience with motor interventions, the influence of such interventions may have affected the results. Future studies should include participants who have not undergone motor interventions to establish more accurate classification criteria. Ultimately, we aim to develop effective exercise programs based on these gait subtypes to enhance rehabilitation strategies.

References: Giuseppe Frazzitta,Roberto Maestri,” Intensive rehabilitation treatment in early Parkinson’s disease: a randomized pilot study with a 2-year follow- up”Neurorehabil Neural Repair.2015 Feb;29(2):123-31

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/study-on-individual-differences-in-shoulder-and-hip-joints-during-walking-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/