The psychometric properties of the figure-of-eight walk test in people with Parkinson's disease

The effect of deep brain stimulation on lower extremity dexterity in people with Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on lower extremity dexterity in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) and to investigate the relationship between this effect and the effect of DBS on measures of different walking characteristics, and other features of Parkinson's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six PwPD were included. Assessment was performed twice with DBS "on" and DBS "off" state.

RESULTS

The LEDT scores of both extremities, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-motor section (UPDRS-III), the 10-Meter Walk Test (TMWT), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), the Figure-of-Eight Walk Test (FEWT), and the Three-Meter Backward Walk Test (TMBWT) scores were significantly better in "on" DBS condition than "off" DBS condition. The effect of DBS on lower extremity dexterity is related to age and levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD). The effect of DBS on lower extremity dexterity and the effect of DBS on the bradykinesia, TUG, the FEWT, and the TMBWT were also related.

CONCLUSIONS

DBS has a positive effect on lower extremity dexterity. Clinical characteristics such as age and LEDD and the effect of DBS on bradykinesia, walking with turning, curved walking, and backward walking is related with the effect of DBS on lower extremity dexterity.

Comparison of dual-task costs during different types of walking in people with Parkinson's disease: a controlled study

INTRODUCTION

Many of the activities in daily living require different walking skills such as straight walking (SW), walking with turning (WwT), curved walking (CW) or backward walking (BW) in a dual-task condition. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the dual task cost (DTC) during different types of walking. Therefore, this study was planned to compare the DTC during different types of walking in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) and healthy controls.

METHODS

Thirty-one PwPD and 31 healthy controls were included. Different types of walking were assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test for SW, the Timed Up and Go Test for WwT, the Figure-of-Eight Walk Test for CW, and the Three-Meter Backward Walk Test for BW. Walking assessments were performed in a single-task and a dual-task condition.

RESULTS

The DTC on SW was the lowest in both groups. The DTC on WwT, BW, and CW were similar in healthy controls, whereas the order of the DTC on remaining walking types from lowest to highest was; WwT, BW, and CW in PwPD. Also, the DTC on WwT, BW, and CW were higher in PwPD than healthy controls. However, the DTC on SW was similar in PwPD and healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

The DTC is different during SW, WwT, BW, and CW in PwPD. Therefore, walking type should be considered in studies investigating dual task walking in PwPD. Also, dual task exercises consisting of different types of walking should be included in rehabilitation programs of PwPD.