Postural control and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schlenstedt, Christian; Muthuraman, Muthuraman; Witt, Karsten; Weisser, Burkhard; Fasano, Alfonso; Deuschl, Günther
• Is Part Of: Parkinsonism & related disorders. Volume 24(2016)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Postural control -- Postural balance -- Posture -- Parkinson's disease -- Freezing of gait -- Fullerton advanced balance scale -- Asymmetry; AP anterior–posterior -- CI confidence interval -- EC eyes closed -- FAB Fullerton Advanced Balance -- FOG freezing of gait -- FOGQ Freezing of Gait Questionnaire -- HC healthy control -- H&Y Hoehn and Yahr -- LOS limits of stability -- ML medio-lateral -- PD Parkinson's disease -- PD+FOG patients with FOG -- PD-FOG patients without FOG -- RMS root mean square -- SEn sample entropy -- SI symmetry index -- UPDRS Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale; Parkinson's disease -- Periodicals; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; Movement Disorders -- Periodicals; Nerve Degeneration -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Parkinson Disease -- Periodicals; Tremor -- Periodicals; Parkinson, Maladie de -- Périodiques; Parkinson's disease; 616.833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.12.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8020

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The relationship between freezing of gait (FOG) and postural instability in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. We analyzed the impact of FOG on postural control. Methods: 31 PD patients with FOG (PD+FOG), 27 PD patients without FOG (PD-FOG) and 22 healthy control (HC) were assessed in the ON state. Postural control was measured with the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale and with center of pressure (COP) analysis during quiet stance and maximal voluntary forward/backward leaning. Results: The groups were balanced concerning age, disease duration and disease severity. PD+FOG performed significantly worse in the FAB scale (21.8 ± 5.8) compared to PD-FOG (25.6 ± 5.0) and HC (34.9 ± 2.4) (mean ± SD, p < 0.01). PD+FOG had impaired ability to voluntary lean forward, difficulties to stand on foam with eyes closed and reduced limits of stability compared to PD-FOG ( p < 0.05). During quiet stance the average anterior–posterior COP position was significantly displaced towards posterior in PD+FOG in comparison to PD-FOG and HC ( p < 0.05). The COP position correlated with severity of FOG ( p < 0.01). PD+FOG and PD-FOG did not differ in average COP sway excursion, sway velocity, sway regularity and postural control asymmetry. Conclusions: PD+FOG have reduced postural control compared to PD-FOG and HC. Our results show a relationship between the anterior–posterior COP position during quiet stance and FOG. The COP shift towards posterior in PD+FOG leads to a restricted precondition to generate forward progression during gait initiation. This may contribute to the occurrence of FOG or might be a compensatory strategy to avoid forward falls. Highlights: Reduced postural control of patients with FOG in comparison to patients without FOG. Reduced ability to voluntary lean forward of patients with FOG. Patients with FOG have a COP shift towards posterior during quiet stance. The COP position in the AP orientation correlates with the severity of FOG.