A cane improves postural recovery from an unpracticed slip during walking in people with Parkinson disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the effects of use of a cane on balance during perturbed gait or whether people with Parkinson disease (PD) benefit from using a cane.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cane use on postural recovery from a slip due to repeated surface perturbations in individuals with PD compared with age- and sex-matched individuals who were healthy.

Design

This was a prospective study with 2 groups of participants.

Methods

Fourteen individuals with PD (PD group) and 11 individuals without PD (control group) walked across a platform that translated 15 cm rightward at 30 cm/s during the single-limb support phase of the right foot. Data from 15 trials in 2 conditions (ie, with and without an instrumented cane in

SUBMITTER: Boonsinsukh R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3432949 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature