Objective: The present study aims to relate gait speed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) with functional measures of muscle strength, balance and physical capacity.

Background: PD is a movement disorder with high incidence that interferes with functionality and participation. Functionality is considered the third health indicator and is related to human gait, and may indicate functional impacts even in early stages of PD.

Method: This cross-sectional research with people with idiopathic PD was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil, under protocol 05271512.7.0000.5225. To assess gait speed the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) was used. The handgrip strength was assessed with a hydraulic hand dynamometer, considering the mean of 3 tries with both upper limbs. Static and dynamic postural control were assessed with the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini BESTest) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) was used as a low-cost and low-complexity strategy to assess sub-maximum physical capacity. For the data analysis, the Statistica 7.0 software was used. The multiple linear regression analysis of the outcomes with gait speed as a dependent variable was fit. The assumptions of the regression model were tested with analysis of residuals, the lack of fit was verified with ANOVA and coefficient significance test. The 5% significance level was adopted.

Results: From 50 participants the mean age was 63.16±12.68 years and 29 of them were men. There were participants classified in the 5 PD stages according to HY, although 86% of the sample were in stages 1 to 3. The mean (±SD) for 10MWT was 1,18±0,39 m/s, for handgrip strength was 28,31±9,41 kgf, for Mini BESTest was 20,36±6,11 points, 6MWT was 381,95±145,15 meters. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the Mini BESTest, 6MWT, and handgrip strength have a direct (growing) relationship with gait speed. ANOVA, which assesses the lack of fit, indicates p < 0.001.

Conclusion: This study revealed the relationship between gait speed, a cheap and easy-to-apply measure that can be used both in research and in clinical practice, with measures of muscle strength, balance and physical capacity. This relationship shows the complexity of human gait and might be used to guide multimodal exercises that aim improve functionality in PD.

« Back to 2022 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/relationship-between-gait-speed-and-functional-measurements-in-parkinsons-disease/