Biomechanical Gait Analysis in Neurodegenerative Parkinsonian Syndromes

Background: Biomechanical measurement of neurological gait disorders has been increasingly used in recent years. However, prospective comparative studies of hypokinetic gait disorders are still sparse. The aim of this study was an objective comparison of gait parameters in subjects with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD, n=12), atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS, n=12), and controls (n=12). Methods: We quantified kinetics and kinematics in upper and lower extremities, trunk, and head in sagittal as well as spatiotemporal gait parameters. Results: We found a significantly reduced walking speed with shortened step length and prolonged ground contact phase in APS subjects compared to PD subjects and controls. In addition, APS patients had more hypokinetic rigidity in lower extremities than in upper extremities compared to IPD and controls. Furthermore, loading force under the heel and active force for gait propulsion in the forefoot were reduced in APS compared to IPD and controls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that biomechanical gait analysis may help clinicians to objectively differentiate typical gait characteristics in clinically similar hypokinetic gait disorders.