Investigation of Gait, Foot Pressure Distribution and Balance in Parkinson's Patients With Motor Freezing
Condition: Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Parkinson's disease is characterized by cardinal motor signs such as bradykinesia, tremor,
      rigidity and postural instability. In addition to these findings, motor freezing, gait
      disorders, posture disorders, decreased arm swings and loss of axial rotation are also seen.
      About 80% of the causes of falls in Parkinson's patients are due to postural instability and
      motor freezing, and patients' quality of life is significantly affected. In addition, gait
      disorders are common in advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease. Gait disorders decrease the
      quality of life by increasing the risk of falls, fractures and mortality. Therefore, the aim
      of this study is to observe the change in gait, foot pressure distribution and balance
      parameters of Parkinson's patients with and without motor deceleration compared to each other
      and healthy controls and to determine the relationship between these parameters.
    

Detailed description: 
      Parkinson's disease is characterized by basic motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor,
      rigidity and postural instability. In addition to these findings, motor freezing, gait
      disorders, posture disorders, decreased arm swings and loss of axial rotation are also seen.
      Restrictions in balance, mobility and activities of daily living due to motor disorders seen
      in Parkinson's Disease and related disability, addiction and decrease in quality of life
      occur. Approximately 80% of the causes of falls in Parkinson's patients are due to postural
      instability and motor freezing, and the quality of life of patients is significantly
      affected. Also, gait disturbances are common in advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease. Gait
      disorders reduce the quality of life by increasing the risk of falls, fractures and death.
      Therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the changes in the gait, foot pressure
      distribution and balance parameters of Parkinson's patients with and without motor
      retardation compared to each other and to healthy controls, and to determine the relationship
      between these parameters.

      This research is planned as two sub-work packages. Foot pressure distribution analysis and
      gait evaluation will be performed in the first sub-work package, and balance evaluation will
      be performed in the second sub-work package.

      From the results of this research, 2 separate articles will be written that evaluate the
      balance and foot pressure distribution analysis and gait separately.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Parkinson's patients and healthy individuals who applied to Hacettepe University Neurology
        Clinic as voluntary participants will be included in this study.
      
Keywords: Postural Balance; Parkinson's Disease; Gait Analysis; Kinematic Analysis; Motor Freezing; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; Foot Pressure Distribution