Characterization of freezing of gait subtypes and the response of each to levodopa in Parkinson''s disease

To assess the effect of levodopa on distinct freezing of gait (FOG) subtypes in patients with 'off' FOG. Nineteen patients (12 men, mean age 62.0 +/- 8.4 years) with Parkinson's disease and clinically significant FOG during 'off' states were videotaped whilst walking 130 m during 'off' and 'on' states. Three independent observers characterized the type, duration, and clinical manifestations and quantified FOG by analyzing the videotapes. Their combined mean scores were used for statistical analysis. The intra-class correlation coefficient assessed inter-observer reliability. Wilcoxon and Friedman tests evaluated differences in mean frequencies of FOG characteristics. During 'off' states, FOG was elicited by turns (63%), starts (23%), walking through narrow spaces (12%) and reaching destinations (9%). These respective values were only 14, 4, 2 and 1% during 'on' states (P < 0.011). Moving forward with very small steps and leg trembling in place were the most common manifestations of FOG; total akinesia was rare. Most FOG episodes took <10 s and tended to be shorter during 'on' states. Levodopa significantly decreased FOG frequency (P < 0.0001) and the number of episodes with akinesia (P < 0.001). Distinction amongst FOG subtypes enables evaluation of distinctive therapeutic response. Levodopa helps in reducing the frequency and duration of 'off'-related FOG.     

“Recumbent” gait: Relationship to the phenotype of “astasia‐abasia”?

Psychogenic gait disorders can present in many different ways. Among patients with a pure psychogenic gait disorder, buckling of the knee is the most common feature, followed by astasia-abasia. Here, we describe one such patient with a very unusual gait disturbance that might be regarded as a variant of astasia-abasia. The patient characteristics are described and discussed in a historical context.     

Freezing of gait affects quality of life of peoples with Parkinson's disease beyond its relationships with mobility and gait.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between freezing of gait (FOG) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PD patients (n = 118) completed the PDQ-39 (QoL) and FOG-Q questionnaires. Disease severity was assessed by the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The relations between those parameters were assessed using regression models. 66 men and 52 women (mean age 65.8 +/- 10.2 years, UPDRS total score 48.4 +/- 17.1, disease duration 8.5 +/- 5.8 years, H&Y stage 2.7 +/- 0.8) participated. FOG severity had a significant effect on QoL (P < 0.0015), accounting for disease severity assessed by UPDRS. Specifically, FOG severity was correlated with all the dimensions of the PDQ-39 except for stigma and social support, as follows: with mobility, bodily discomfort, activity of daily living (ADL) (P < 0.005 in all), with emotional, communication, and cognition (P < 0.05 in all). FOG severity (FOG-Q) was also found to affect a modified PDQ total score, without the mobility aspect (P = 0.0081). FOG should be viewed as a highly important symptom with regard to QoL of PD patients beyond its effect on gait and mobility. On the basis of the present results, special attention should be given to FOG in the treatment of patients with PD.     

THE COMPUTERIZED GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND THREE DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF FOOT-GROUND REACTION FORCES DURING LEVEL WALKING

A S9-2 computerized gait analysis system developed by us is reported. The advantages of the system are: synchronous measurement of the forces, angles and time parameters; high efficiency, accuracy and good repeatability; low cost and easy to operate. A three dimensional analysis of the foot-ground reaction forces of 41 normal subjects during level walking was carried out by the S9-2 system and a series of normal values of parameters and characteristic curves were obtained. The mechanism of formation of the parameters and curves and the sex influence were investigated and discussed. In old subject, before the development of "cautious gait", most values of the parameters did not differ significantly from those of the young subjects, except that the centre of gravity of the body crossing the hip earlier with a slight decrease in the medio-lateral balance capacity.     

病房康复延伸护理对脑卒中迟缓性偏瘫患者三维步态时空参数的影响

目的:观察病房康复延伸护理对脑卒中迟缓性偏瘫患者三维步态时空参数的影响。方法:将60例脑卒中迟缓性偏瘫患者随机分为常规护理组(A组,n=30)、病房康复延伸护理组(B组,n=30)两组,予以相应的方法治疗8周,评估治疗前后两组患者三维步态时空参数。结果:与治疗前相比,治疗后两组患者的步长、步幅、步速、步频、支撑相、双支撑相等参数及B组摆动相均有不同程度的改善(P<0.05); A组摆动相和步宽及B组步宽的变化差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与治疗后A组比较,治疗后B组的步长、步幅、步速、步频、支撑相、双支撑相等参数改善较为明显(P<0.05),步宽和摆动相的改善差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:病房康复延伸护理能改善脑卒中迟缓性偏瘫患者三维步态时空参数,具有临床意义。     

脊柱侧凸常用步态特征评估参数应用及研究进展

脊柱侧凸是一种脊柱的三维畸形,其导致一系列健康问题,如疼痛、姿势异常、步行模式异常等。步态评估有助于评估脊柱畸形改变对患者生活质量和日常活动能力障碍。三维步态分析系统包含时空参数、运动学和动力学评估方法,为脊柱侧凸患者提供客观的、量化的步态分析方法。其中,表面肌电和能量监测反映脊柱侧凸患者与健康人相比步行时肌肉生理学和能量变化。本综述对脊柱侧凸的三维步态分析、表面肌电和能量监测的研究进行总结,以全面客观的反映脊柱侧凸患者步行的生物力学改变     

人行走时骨盆上下运动参数的模型分析

为了研究正常人行走过程中骨盆在垂直方向的运动特征,提出了一种以测量数据为基础建立骨盆运动参数数学模型的新思想。介绍了基于跑步机的骨盆运动轨迹测量系统,并对30名健康男性青年进行了获取骨盆运动参数的实验研究。实验结果得到了不同受试者分别以不同速度行走时的骨盆在垂直方向的多组运动轨迹,以及运动幅值、周期、初始相位等与行走速度和受试者身高的关系曲线。通过对曲线拟合,建立了各参数及骨盆运动轨迹的数学模型。通过对该模型进一步完善,可使其对康复评定、类人机器人等领域具有一定的应用价值。     

节律性听觉刺激改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿步态的研究进展

节律性听觉刺激(RAS)通过一定的外部节律刺激(如音乐、节奏)激活听觉中枢和大脑运动区,控制下肢肌肉配合节奏训练、调整步态模式,从而达到改善步态的效果。RAS是一种改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿步态的新兴康复治疗方法,其机制假说包括夹带机制、运动听觉机制和动机。RAS能够有效提高患儿的步态参数(步速和步长)、增加患儿下肢关节活动度,且不同频率和训练时间均会对其干预效果产生影响。     

综合疗法治疗儿童脑瘫剪刀步的疗效观察

采用运动疗法、神经阻滞法、肌电反馈法、水疗法、足部矫形器、神经节苷脂等综合治疗小儿脑瘫剪刀步40例,总有效率82．5％,提示综合治疗有利于小儿脑瘫康复。