Gait analysis in Parkinson's disease and response to dopaminergic treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the gait abnormalities in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), and their response to dopaminergic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 15 patients and 15 healthy age-matched subjects were included for comparison between pathologic and <<normal>> gait, and 24 PD patients were included to assess the effects of treatment. Gait analysis was achieved with a new 3D-photogrammetry system. RESULTS: Patients had significative lower velocity, stride length, step length and hip and knee ranges when compared with control subjects. There were no differences in cadence, step width and relative times of gait-cycle. There were no differences in the patients' gait variables after administration of a dopaminergic medication. CONCLUSIONS: Gait analysis allows quantification of gait disturbances in patients with PD and the potential effects of treatment. The results of this study suggest a certain degree of <<levodopa-resistance>> in gait in these patients.