Acute effect of intermittent normobaric hypoxia on gait assymetry in patients with Parkinsons Disease - AsymmGait-Parkinson Study

• Grant number: 24/03560-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Augusto Barbieri
• Grantee: Vinicius Oliveira Queiroz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02971-2 - Unrevealing the gait asymmetry in patients with Parkinson’s Disease: from the neural and motor mechanisms to rehabilitation: AsymmGait-Parkinson study, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Gait asymmetry is exacerbated in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and can differentiate PD from other neurodegenerative diseases. Gait asymmetry has been related to a greater chance of falls, freezing, and stumbling due to worsening movement control and coordination of the most affected limb by the disease. Therefore, the determination of interventions that optimize the treatment of PD is essential to soften the effects of these dysfunctions and the disease's progression. The intervention through intermittent normobaric hypoxia (HI) has presented positive effects on PD and the gait of other populations. In this regard, HI seems to be a promising approach to reducing gait asymmetry. However, there are still no studies that have analyzed the effects of HI on gait asymmetry, which highlights the need for more experimental studies. The objective of this study, therefore, is to investigate the acute effects (immediately and 24 h after the exposure) of HI on gait (time-space and lower limb muscle activity parameters) and blood biomarkers (e.g., iron concentration) in people with PD. Individuals neurologically healthy (control group) and people with PD will perform two acute intervention protocols at rest: i) intermittent low oxygen availability (HI) - alternating levels of oxygen: 6 min in hypoxia and 5 min in normoxic value - and ii) normal oxygen availability (normoxia) - inducing the same behavior without changing the oxygen concentration (placebo). Gait (kinematic and muscular parameters) and iron concentrations will be evaluated before, immediately after and 24 hours after the interventions. We hope to contribute to developing HI program to treat gait asymmetry in people with PD.