Influencing Factors on Gait Variability in PD

Influencing Factors and Improving Strategy on Gait Variability in People With Parkinson's Disease

The principal motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD) include rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia, and postural instability. These motor deficits might cause gait dysfunction including reduced gait velocity, stride length, arm swing, and increased gait variability. Among these, increase in gait variability increased fall risk and served as a marker of disease progression. Previous studies reported that some factors might influence gait variability. However, which one contributes most has not yet been verified. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to identify the more related influencing factors on gait variability in people with PD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Idiopathic PD
• Hoehn and Yahr stages I through III
• Ability to stand and walk 5 m independently with or without any walking aids
• Stable medication usage

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable medical conditions
• Any neurological, cardiopulmonary or orthopedic problem/diseases that may interfere with participating the study