Abstract
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.
Highlights
Gait damage is a common feature in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD)
We further explored the predictive value of kinematic gait parameters and found that heel strike (HS), TO, range of motion (ROM)-AJ, ROM-knee joints (ROM-KJ), and ROM-hip joints (ROM-HJ) all cannot predict early-stage PD
We found that total steps (TS), stride length (SL), SL variability, stance phase time (StPT) variability, and swing phase time (SwPT) variability can predict PD alone
Summary
Gait damage is a common feature in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The gait characteristics of PD are decreased pace, step length, and arm swing [1,2,3]. During a long-term follow-up of patients with early-stage PD, stride length and step time variability increased when patients walked at a normal pace [10]. All these studies suggest that patients with early-stage PD already have gait damage. 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). Our findings are helpful to improve patient’s quality of life
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
