Evaluation of Spatio-Temporal Gait Variability during Obstacle Crossing in Parkinson's Disease

IObstacle crossing and navigating through complex environments is a challenging task in daily life and has been identified as a major cause of falls in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study is to assess the variability in spatio-temporal variables of gait in patients with Parkinson's disease when crossing obstacles.

This descriptive study included 15 men with Parkinson's disease and 17 age-matched healthy men who participated in this study through convenience sampling. Spatio-temporal parameters of gait during normal walking and obstacle crossing were evaluated using a motion analysis system with four cameras (Vicon, Oxford Metrics, Oxford, UK). The results were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and SPSS software with a significance level of p < 0.05.

The results showed that cadence and walking speed were lower and swing time, stance time, stride time, step time, single support time, and double support time were higher in the PD group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The difference between the two groups was significant in the variability coefficient of variables such as double support time, single support time, stride time, step length, and percentage of opposite foot contact with the ground. Crossing obstacles also resulted in increased stride time, stance time, step length, and stride length compared to normal walking, and increased variability in swing time, single support time, stride time, and step time.

Crossing obstacles in individuals with PD resulted in reduced walking speed and increased double support time, which are among the most important risk factors for falls. Additionally, greater variability during normal walking or obstacle crossing, accompanied by decreased cognitive functions in the PD group, indicates an increased risk of falls during challenging activities.