Purpose To investigate the effect of red and green light beams on gait and freezing of gait (FOG) in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods Seven persons with PD who experienced FOG participated in the study. Gait and turning performances were studied while walking with canes with red, green, and no light beams while ‘off’ and ‘on’ anti-parkinsonian medications. Gait speed, cadence, and stride were recorded. Time and number of freezing episodes were recorded during a 50-foot walk and a 360° turn. Results During “off’ medication, compared to no light, stride length improved when using the green light, but not the red. During the 50-foot walk, freezing episodes were reduced when using the green light compared to both the red and no light. During the 360° turn, time, number of steps, and number of freezing episodes were reduced using the green light compared to the red and no light. During ‘on’ medication, gait speed and stride length improved more with the green light compared to the red. Neither color showed any effect on cadence during either medication state. Conclusion A green light improved gait and alleviate FOG in persons with PD better than a red light or no light.

Objectives To study the effects of levodopa and walking speed on gait variability in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Thirty-three individuals with PD were studied. Their mean age was 70.61 ± 9.23 yr. The average time since diagnosis was 9.65 ± 5.80 yr years. Gait variability was studied while “OFF” and “ON” dopaminergic medication when the subjects walked at their usual and fastest speeds. Results Variability of step time, double support time, stride length and stride velocity decreased significantly (p = .037; p = .037; p = .022; p = .043, respectively) after dopaminergic treatment. When subjects increased walking speed, the variability of stride length and stride velocity decreased significantly (p = .038 and p = .004, respectively) both while “OFF” and “ON” levodopa. Increasing walking speed did not change the variability of step time and double support time regardless of medication status. Conclusions Levodopa decreased gait variability in persons with PD. Stride length and stride velocity variability appeared to be speed dependent parameters, whereas, the variability of step time and double support time appeared to be speed independent measures. Levodopa had positive effects on gait stability in PD.

Introduction Backward walking is difficult for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is unknown how levodopa influences backward gait patterns, especially when compared to forward gait patterns. Purpose Investigate the effects of levodopa on forward and backward gait patterns in individuals with PD. Design A repeated measures design was used. Methods The sample consisted of 21 individuals with PD (15 males, 6 females). Their mean age was 70.24 ± 8.69 yr. The average time since diagnosis was 11.81 ± 5.49 years. The median of the Hoehn and Yahr stage while ‘ON’ medication was 2.57. Gait patterns during forward and backward walking at a self-selected comfortable speed were recorded before and after taking levodopa on the same day. Results Levodopa significantly increased gait speed and stride length and decreased the percent of the gait cycle (%GC) spent in double support. Gait speed and stride length were greater and the %GC spent in double support was less during forward walking compared with backward walking. Cadence was not changed by levodopa or walking direction. Conclusions Levodopa improved gait characteristics during backward walking in a manner similar to that during forward walking in persons with PD.

Purpose To study the relationship of fear of falling (FoF) with gait characteristics and balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Method Seventy-nine non-demented individuals (62 males) with PD were studied. Their mean age was 69.22 ± 8.93 years. The average time since diagnosis was 8.27 ± 5.31 years. FoF was assessed by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale in which high scores indicate less FoF. Gait was measured using a computerized walkway. Balance was measured by timed tests including the 5-step test, 360 degree turn, timed sideways walk, and timed up and go test. Participants were divided into two groups based on their ABC score (high FoF, ABC score <69; low FoF, ABC score ≥69). Gait characteristics and balance measures of the two groups were compared. Results Gait speed and stride length for forward walking (p < 0.0005 for both) and backward walking (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively) were lower for those with a high level of FoF compared to those with a low level of FoF. The time to take five steps (p = 0.025), time to turn (p < 0.0005), time to walk sideways (p = 0.001), and time to complete the up and go test (p = 0.003) were longer in those with a high level of FoF than in those with a low level of FoF. Number of steps to complete the turn (p = 0.001) and steps to walk sideways (p = 0.002) were greater in those with a high level of FoF than in those with a low level FoF. Conclusions Gait and balance of individuals with PD with a high level of FoF were poorer than those with a low level of FoF, regardless of previous fall history.