Effect of an Environment Requiring Sensorimotor Control on Rhythmic Movement of the Trunk during Walking by Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the effect of an environment requiring sensorimotor control on the rhythmic movements of the trunk during walking by Parkinson’s disease patients using a triaxial accelerometer. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were healthy young people, healthy elderly people, and Parkinson’s disease patients. Trunk rhythmicity (mediolateral, vertical, anteroposterior) was calculated by performing a walking task under two conditions: with and without spatial gaps. [Results] In the group of patients with Parkinson’s disease, a significant decrease in vertical trunk rhythmicity was observed in walking with spatial gaps compared to walking without spatial gaps. [Conclusion] In patients with Parkinson’s disease, it was shown that trunk rhythmicity in the vertical direction tended to decrease in gait tasks that required sensorimotor control.