Freezing in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a visual and auditory cueing walker on freezing of gait during walking in patients with Parkinson\'s disease (PDF), compared to Parkinson patients without freezing of gait (PDNF).Sample size was calculated to detect a difference of 0.37 m/sec on mean velocity, with a deviation of 0.3 m/sec, two-sided 5% significance level, and power of 90%. Considering the expected 10% dropout rate, twelve subjects were included.Researcher R1 determined whether the subject was eligible for inclusion in the trial and researcher R2 carried out the gait analysis. Both examiners were unaware of group allocation. An independent researcher (R3) performed the clinical evaluation before the procedures started. Participants walked back and forth on a 7-meter walking path under two different conditions: without cues and with a walker providing visual and auditory cues. To assess the risk of falls in both groups, the \"Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment\" was conducted. Additionally, the \"Dynamic Gait Index\" was used to evaluate the ability to adapt walking to varying task demands, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was employed to determine walking speed.

This study suggests that a walker providing visual and auditory cues may improve daily walking in patients with Parkinson\'s disease with freezing of gait (PDF) and reduce the risk of falls in patients with Parkinson\'s disease without freezing of gait (PDNF) who exhibit hypokinetic gait patterns.