Persons with Parkinson's disease show impaired interlimb coordination during backward walking.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Although there is growing literature supporting the implementation of backward walking as a potential rehabilitation tool, moving backwards may precipitate falls for persons with Parkinson's disease. We sought to better understand interlimb coordination during backward walking in comparison to forward walking in persons with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls.

Methods

We assessed coordination using point estimate of relative phase at each participant's preferred walking speed.

Results

Persons with Parkinson's disease demonstrated impaired interlimb coordination between the more affected arm and each leg compared to controls, which worsened during backward walking.

Conclusion

For those with Parkinson's disease, inability to output smooth coord

SUBMITTER: Kellaher GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9284669 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature