Author/Authors :
Wu, Zhuang Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Jiang, Xu Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Zhong, Min Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Shen, Bo Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Zhu, Jun Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Pan, Yang Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Dong, Jingde Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Xu, Pingyi Department of Neurology - First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China , Zhang, Wenbin Department of Neurosurgery - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Yan, Jun Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China , Zhang, Li Department of Geriatric Neurology - Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Abstract :
Background and Purpose. Patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) have gait impairments, and gait parameters may act as
diagnostic biomarkers. We aimed to (1) comprehensively quantify gait impairments in early-stage PD and (2) evaluate the
diagnostic value of gait parameters for early-stage PD. Methods. 32 patients with early-stage PD and 30 healthy control subjects
(HC) were enrolled. All participants completed the instrumented stand and walk test, and gait data was collected using wearable
sensors. Results. We observed increased variability of stride length (SL) (P < 0:001), stance phase time (StPT) (P = 0:004), and
swing phase time (SwPT) (P = 0:011) in PD. There were decreased heel strike (HS) (P = 0:001), range of motion of knee
(P = 0:036), and hip joints (P < 0:001) in PD. In symmetry analysis, no difference was found in any of the assessed gait
parameters between HC and PD. Only total steps (AUC = 0:763, P < 0:001), SL (AUC = 0:701, P = 0:007), SL variability
(AUC = 0:769, P < 0:001), StPT variability (AUC = 0:712, P = 0:004), and SwPT variability (AUC = 0:688, P = 0:011) had
potential diagnostic value. When these five gait parameters were combined, the predictive power was found to increase, with the
highest AUC of 0.802 (P < 0:001). Conclusions. Patients with early-stage PD presented increased variability but still symmetrical
gait pattern. Some specific gait parameters can be applied to diagnose early-stage PD which may increase diagnosis accuracy.
Our findings are helpful to improve patient’s quality of life.
Keywords :
Mild Gait Impairment , Potential Diagnostic , Early-Stage , Parkinson's Disease
