Article

The aim of this study was to compare the locomotor behavior of people with
Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy older adults during obstacle negotiation,
both in the approaching and crossing phases. Twelve people with idiopathic PD,
with mild to moderate disease, and 12 healthy individuals (CG) walked across an
8m pathway for three obstacle conditions: no obstacle, low obstacle and high
obstacle. Each performed five trials for each obstacle condition. Performance was
more disturbed for the high obstacle than the low obstacle. During the approach
phase, people with PD demonstrated shorter stride length (F(1,22)=8.55, P=0.008)
and greater stride duration (F(1,22)=7.371, P=0.013) than controls. Those with PD
also increased their stance phase durations (F(1,22)=7.426, P=0.012) for both
obstacle conditions, while the CG maintained comparable step durations for all
conditions. For the crossing phase, people with PD demonstrated shorter step
length (F(1,22)=9.699, P=0.005) over the obstacle. Leading limbs were closer to
the obstacle, before and after crossing. Thus PD hypokinesia compromises the
approach and crossing phases of obstacle negotiation.

Langue : ANGLAIS