Bakhtiarian R, Majlesi M, Azadian E. Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Parameters of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: The Effect of Obstacle Crossing and Virtual Reality Environment. IJRN 2024; 10 (4) :28-39
URL:
http://ijrn.ir/article-1-786-en.html
Associate Professor of Sport Biomechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran.
Abstract: (414 Views)
Introduction: Disruptions in the gait patterns of individuals with Parkinson's disease lead to an increased risk of falls in these patients. The aim of the present study is to investigate spatiotemporal gait variables during obstacle crossing in both real and virtual reality environments in individuals with Parkinson's disease and compare them with healthy counterparts.
Methods: In this study, 15 Parkinson's disease and 17 healthy individuals with similar heights, weights, and ages participated through convenience sampling. In this study, four walking tasks were evaluated: normal walking, obstacle crossing, walking in a virtual reality environment, and obstacle crossing in a virtual reality environment. The spatiotemporal gait variables were recorded in terms of both invariant parameters and relative timing using the Vicon motion analysis system. The data were analyzed using independent t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA, in the SPSS-25 software (p < 0.05).
Results: The results showed that variables such as step and stride time, single support time, stance and sway time were significantly higher in the Parkinson's group compared to the control group, while cadence and gait speed were lower in the Parkinson's group (p < 0.05). Walking in the virtual reality environment, with or without obstacles, led to decreased speed and increased step and stride time, single support time, and sway. However, relative timing in gait parameters did not change significantly (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, the virtual reality environment did not have a significant impact on the relative timing of gait parameters. However, when it came to obstacle crossing, there was a noticeable reduction in relative timing variables. These findings suggest that there are distinct movement patterns involved in obstacle crossing, while the gait patterns in the virtual reality environment closely resemble those of normal walking. To validate these results, further studies are required.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Rehabilitation in Sport Sciences Received: 2023/02/7 | Accepted: 2023/11/27 | Published: 2024/07/27