The assessment of gait disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease using the three-dimensional motion analysis system Vicon.

Background and purpose: Gait disorders are a common symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) and can occur in the early stage of the disease. The most characteristic gait disorders in that disease affect pace and cadence. This study was designed to assess spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters of patients with PD using the three-dimensional motion analysis system Vicon (R). Material and methods: 32 patients (14 women and IS men; age range: 50-75) treated for PD in the Department of Neurology were studied. The control group consisted of 32 healthy persons (13 women and 19 men, age range: 52-77). Gait analysis using the Vicon (R) 3D system took place in the Biokinetics Laboratory in the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow. The Vicon (R) 3D system enables computerized registration and analysis of motion in three-dimensional space. Results: The analysis of basic spatiotemporal parameters of gait revealed that PD patients had considerably lower walking speed, stride length and cadence and longer time of double support than controls. The assessment of kinematic gait parameters showed that PD patients had decreased motion range in the Joints of the lower limbs and began the double support phase earlier and delayed the swing phase when compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Our study shows a difference between PD patients and healthy controls at similar age both in angle changes and in spatiotemporal parameters of gait.