Parkinson’s Case Study 2: Gait Analysis and Treatment of Maureen
Original Editor - Merinda Rodseth
Top Contributors - Merinda Rodseth, Kim Jackson and Tarina van der Stockt
Gait Analysis[edit | edit source]
Dr Ramaswamy’s analysis of Maureen’s gait can be seen in the table below.
Parameters | Forward and backward walking pre-treatment | Forward and backward walking post-treatment |
Walking speed and cadence | Forwards:
14 steps over an 8m distance in 8 seconds. Cadence:105 steps/minute Backwards: 17 steps over an 8m distance |
Similar cadence, slightly slower walking speed due to fatigue |
Step/stride length | Forwards: stride length over 50cm - good for age and condition | Similar step length |
Step width | Backwards: Increased adduction of the leg | Less adduction of the hips and a more consistent step width |
Floor clearance | Each foot clears the floor, no concerns | |
Posture and biomechanics | Backward walking:
Posture:
|
Backward walking:
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Treatment[edit | edit source]
It is essential to keep the patient’s goals in mind when considering choices for treatment. Maureen’s goals when attending this session was to:
- Recover/improve her activity levels
- Improve the wheezing in her chest
- Reduce the occurrence of drooling
To improve Maureen’s activity levels, Dr Ramaswamy aimed to loosen Maureen’s body so that it will be in a good starting position for her to quickly recruit the muscles and joints while also working to improve the loading through her left side, which is more affected by the Parkinson’s. Any trunk rotation movement gained would also aid to improve Maureen’s wheezing. Treatment included:
- Mobilisation of the trunk and the shoulder girdle on both sides
- Weight transfers in sitting by elongating the trunk side-to-side
- Exercises using the battle ropes – incorporating chest extension and arm mobility while the legs are working into both flexion and extension as she goes into a squat.