Association between Floating Toes and Physical Functions in Parkinsonʼs Disease

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the number of floating toes and its association with physical functions, such as balance and walking abilities, in Parkinsonʼs disease (PD). [Participants and Methods] The participants were 16 PD patients (male: 7, female: 9, mean age:72.4±6.4, and Hoehn & Yahr Staging Scale grade: II: 5, III: 9, and IV: 2) living at home. After screening for floating toes, body composition and physical function measurements were performed, and the association between the number of floating toes and results of each measurement was examined using the Spearmanʼs rank correlation coefficient. [Results] The incidence of floating toes was 87.5%, and the mean number of floating toes was 1.0 (1.0­2.3). The number of floating toes was negatively correlated with walking speed (p <0.05) and toe gripping force (p<0.01). [Conclusion] The findings suggest that, in patients with Parkinsonʼs disease, a higher number of floating toes is associated with reduced walking ability and toe function.