Reduced Range of Gait Speed: A Parkinson’s Disease-Specific Symptom?
Felix von der Recke, Elke Warmerdam, Clint Hansen, Robbin Romijnders, Walter Maetzler
Abstract
Reduced range of gait speed (RGS) may lead to decreased environmental adaptability in persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Therefore, lab-measured gait speed, step time, and step length during slow, preferred, and fast walking were assessed in 24 PwPD, 19 stroke patients, and 19 older adults and compared with 31 young adults. Only PwPD, but not the other groups, showed significantly reduced RGS compared to young adults, driven by step time in the low and step length in the high gait speed range. These results suggest that reduced RGS may occur as a PD-specific symptom, and different gait components seem to contribute.
Topics & Concepts
GaitPhysical medicine and rehabilitationParkinson's diseasePreferred walking speedStroke (engine)MedicinePsychologyDiseaseInternal medicineMechanical engineeringEngineeringBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionParkinson's Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsCerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders