Does gait analysis quantify motor rehabilitation efficacy in Parkinson's disease patients?

SUBJECTS Sixteen rigid-akinetic idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients (PD) and 13 healthy control subjects (controls) were included in this study. METHODS Gait analysis was performed using an optoelectronic system. The experimental design involved double evaluation of PD patients (before and after motor rehabilitation program) and a single evaluation of controls. ANOVA was performed in both groups for each gait variable (kinetic and kinematic) and for clinical conditions. RESULTS Analysis of kinetic data highlighted a statistically significant difference for all gait variables studied between controls and PD patients either before, or in the same PD patients before and after the motor rehabilitation program. After the rehabilitation program, natural walking speed increased (p<.000). The stance percentage was significantly decreased in the single support (p<.000). After the rehabilitation program, the double support limb phase did not show a reduction in statistical significance. Kinematic data showed statistical differences between controls and PD patients in hip, knee and ankle joint angles, both before and after the motor rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION Our results confirm that gait analysis is a valid tool for evaluating changes in PD patients' ability to walk and for quantifying the improvements gained through a motor rehabilitation program.