Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Synchrony of gaze and stepping patterns in people with Parkinson's disease

Full text
Author(s):
Vitorio, Rodrigo [1, 2] ; Gobbi, Lilian T. B. [2] ; Lirani-Silva, Ellen [2] ; Moraes, Renato [3] ; Almeida, Quincy J. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Wilfrid Laurier Univ, Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Res & Rehab, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 - Canada
[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Posture & Gait Studies Lab, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040907 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Behavioural Brain Research; v. 307, p. 159-164, JUL 1 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 12
Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) are more dependent than healthy individuals on visual information in an on-line manner to guarantee accurate foot placement into an intended stepping target. Patients with PD and age-matched healthy participants walked along a pathway and were required to step onto either one or two targets during the walk trial. Outcome measures included absolute error (accuracy) and error variability (precision) of foot placement onto the first target, and the time interval between the gaze transfer away from the first target and heel contact on the same target. When there was a single target in the travel path, both groups fixated the target until after heel contact on the target. However, when challenged with an additional target, both groups transferred their gaze from the first target prior to heel contact. Interestingly, only people with PD increased anterior-posterior absolute error (first target) when there was more than one target in the travel path. Premature gaze transfer was associated with decline in stepping accuracy (anterior posterior absolute error) in people with PD. These findings suggest that both people with PD and healthy individuals prioritize the planning of future actions over the execution of ongoing steps, while walking. Additionally, current findings support the notion people with PD are more dependent on visual feedback to make on-line corrections and adjustments to their foot trajectory in order to guarantee accurate foot placement into an intended stepping target. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/07040-0 - Locomotor behavior, clinical parameters, falls incidence, and physical activity level in Parkinson disease patients. A two-year longitudinal study.
Grantee:Rodrigo Vitório
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 12/03456-2 - How is visual information used for the control of locomotion in patients with Parkinson's Disease?
Grantee:Rodrigo Vitório
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate