Assessment of spatio-temporal gait variables of individuals with Parkinson's treatment with and without deep brain stimulation

• Grant number: 12/16634-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Roberto Garcia Lucareli
• Grantee: Daiane Magalhães Gomes
• Host Institution: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Campus Vergueiro. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects the neurons of the substantia nigra in the midbrain responsible for producing dopamine. The main symptoms of PD are characterized by tremors at rest, muscle stiffness, bradykinesia, postural changes, and balance and gait disorders. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is one of the reference treatments in advanced cases of the disease. The lack of information in the literature that quantify the effects of deep brain stimulation on gait variables is clearly necessary in order to contribute to the advancement of therapeutic strategies, in addition to providing a scientific foundation within the rehabilitation process. The study aims to analyze the linear kinematics of gait in PD patients. Twelve patients with DP, aged between 41 and 71 years, who underwent surgical treatment of high-frequency DBS will be evaluated during three periods: OFF medication (absence of medication by 12 hours) and ON stimulation (DBS attached); ON medication (under the influence of medication) and ON stimulation; ON medication and OFF stimulation (DBS off). The gait linear will be held by SMART-BTS ® software. Statistical analysis will use the test of covariance (ANOVA) and is assumed value of p d 0.05 as statistically significant.(AU)