Claudia Stummer1, Valeria Dibilio2, Sebastiaan Overeem3, Vivian Weerdesteyn4, Bastiaan R Bloem3, Jorik Nonnekes5. 1. Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Claudia.Stummer@radboudumc.nl. 2. Department GF Ingrassia, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Italy; Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 4. Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Sint Maartenskliniek Research, Development & Education, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 5. Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a "walk-bicycle" in reducing freezing of gait (FOG). METHODS: Eighteen Parkinson patients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible. RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle. CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a "walk-bicycle" in reducing freezing of gait (FOG). METHODS: Eighteen Parkinsonpatients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible. RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle. CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.
Authors: Laurie A King; Martina Mancini; Katrijn Smulders; Graham Harker; Jodi A Lapidus; Katrina Ramsey; Patricia Carlson-Kuhta; Brett W Fling; John G Nutt; Daniel S Peterson; Fay B Horak Journal: Neurorehabil Neural Repair Date: 2020-04-04 Impact factor: 3.919