Initial center of pressure position prior to anticipatory postural adjustments during gait initiation in people with Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bayot, Madli; Delval, Arnaud; Moreau, Caroline; Defebvre, Luc; Hansen, Clint; Maetzler, Walter; Schlenstedt, Christian
• Is Part Of: Parkinsonism & related disorders. Volume 84(2021)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Postural control -- Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) -- Gait initiation -- Parkinson's disease (PD) -- Freezing of gait (FOG); 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.2021.01.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8020

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with an altered posture during quiet stance as well as an impaired preparation and execution of the gait initiation process. We aimed to investigate whether an altered initial posture impacts anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and first-step execution during gait initiation in people with PD with FOG (PD + FOG). Methods: Twenty-seven PD+FOG, 30 PD patients without FOG and 27 age-matched healthy controls performed self-generated gait initiation. Initial mean center of pressure (COP) position prior to APA onset, characteristics of APAs and features of first-step execution were investigated. Results: Contrarily to controls, PD patients showed a COP that was initially positioned more towards the stance leg (p = 0.007). Moreover, significantly smaller backward COP shift, longer duration of swing-foot unloading phase, and lower first-step length and velocity characterized PD+FOG compared to controls. While size and duration of backward COP shift during APA and lateral COP shift during the unloading phase were main predictors of first-step length and velocity in all groups, the medio-lateral shift of the initial COP position in PD+FOG was a main predictor of first-step execution (β = −0.191, p = 0.001 for velocity). Conclusion: In PD+FOG, the more the COP was initially positioned towards the stance foot, the slower and shorter the first step. The initial medio-lateral COP position may be a compensatory strategy to address postural instability of PD+FOG. A specific training regarding postural control prior to gait preparation and execution could improve functional mobility in PD+FOG. Highlights: PD+FOG presented altered preparation and execution of the gait initiation process. PD patients initially positioned their COP towards stance leg prior to preparation. This mediolateral COP position worsened first-step execution in PD+FOG. Rehabilitation should target quiet stance prior to gait initiation in PD+FOG.