Investigation of Gait, Foot Pressure Distribution and Balance in Parkinson's Patients With Motor Freezing

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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease
* Healthy individuals who do not have musculoskeletal disease or any neurological disease that may affect assessments
* Being between 50-80 years old
* Volunteer to participate in the study
* Grade 2-3 on the Modified Hoehn-Yahr Scale
* To have a score above 24 in the Standardized Mini Mental Test

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having an additional neurological or psychiatric disease other than Parkinson's disease
* Uncontrollable dyskinesia or motor fluctuations
* Presence of postural hypotension, vision problems (not compensated by the correct lens) or vestibular disorders that may affect balance
* Presence of cardiopulmonary diseases that may affect gait
* Presence of orthopedic problems (such as fractures, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis) and inflammatory arthritis that may cause limitation of movement and affect gait and assessment