A Biomechanical Gait Analysis of Patients with Parkinson's Disease by Auditory Cues Velocity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if auditory cues velocity has a greater effect on the gait pattern of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) than the cues applied individually. METHODS: The subjects were 15 elderly patients diagnosed with PD, 15 healthy elderly persons. Patients were measured of three conditions performed in random order: slow, general, fast. The auditory cue velocity consisted of a metronome beat ${\pm}20%$ than the subject's general gait speed. Using a motion analysis and a force platform measurement system, changes in spatiotemporal variables, kinetic and kinematic variables were compared to gait analysis. RESULTS: Comparison between the auditory cues velocity, there was a significant difference in the spatiotemporal variables with regard to the cadence, stride length, support time, step length, double support time (p