Poster 18: The Effects of Assistive Devices on Gait Measures in Huntington's Disease

Abstract

Introduction Falls are frequent in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD), due to gait and balance impairments. Falls often occur when turning, or when maneuvering in tight spaces and around obstacles when walking. Methods This study examined the effect of 8 different ambulatory assistive devices (ADs, e.g., canes, walkers) on spatiotemporal gait measures as measured with GaitRite in 21 individuals with HD. Subjects also walked in a figure-of-eight around two chairs placed four feet apart. Results During gait without an AD, we found high variability in gait parameters (stride time percent coefficient of variation [%CV] = 12.92, swing time %CV = 7.80, and double support time %CV = 24.61). Preliminary results indicate that a four-wheeled walker (4ww) induced more normal gait parameters (e.g., higher mean velocity and step length and lower support base, percent of gait cycle in double stance, and step variability) compared to a standard walker (Sw) and cane; more pronounced gait deficits occurred with a Sw. During figure-of-eight maneuvers, subjects moved significantly faster (p Conclusions Individuals with HD may have difficulty using Sws and canes because the task complexity and demands on balance are greater than with the 4ww. Wheeled walkers produce more efficient gait patterns than no assistive device, canes, or Sws in individuals with HD and may be the best assistive device for fall prevention in individuals with HD. This study also demonstrated that utilizing walking in a figure-of-eight around obstacles is a sensitive test of dynamic balance function.