Gait initiation deficits in Parkinson’s disease with freezing of gait: A large-scale force platform study of anticipatory postural adjustments.

Publication date: Jul 01, 2025

Freezing of gait (FoG) is a debilitating motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD), often occurring during step initiation due to impaired anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). Previous studies show inconsistent findings regarding APA alterations in people with PD with FoG (PwPD + FoG) and without FoG (PwPD-FoG). This study aimed to investigate APA characteristics using a force platform to assess postural control deficits associated with FoG. We analyzed baseline data from 130 PwPD (70 with FoG) and 41 healthy controls. A force platform during self-initiated stepping measured APA duration, amplitude, and step amplitude. All participants with PD were tested in the ON medication. One-way ANOVA and ANCOVA (controlling for UPDRS-III and medication) were conducted to compare groups. APA duration was significantly shorter in Healthy compared to PwPD + FoG and PwPD-FoG, with no difference between PD groups. Step amplitude was significantly lower in PwPD + FoG compared to Healthy and PwPD-FoG, but this difference was insignificant after covariate. APA mediolateral amplitude followed PD + FoG

Concepts Keywords
Freezing Aged
Impaired Anticipation, Psychological
Mediolateral Biomechanics
Parkinsonism Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Gait initiation
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor control
Movement disorders
Parkinson Disease
Postural Balance
Postural control

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH Gait
disease MESH Parkinson’s disease
disease MESH Gait Disorders Neurologic
disease MESH Movement disorders
pathway KEGG Parkinson disease
drug DRUGBANK Isoxaflutole

Original Article

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