Necesidad de superación profesional para el diagnóstico de ancianos con trastornos de la marcha / Necessity of professional training for the diagnosis of elderly with gait disorders

El envejecimiento es un conjunto de modificaciones morfológicas y fisiológicas, que aparecen como consecuencia de la acción del tiempo sobre los seres vivos, e implican cambios en los sistemas orgánicos que influyen en el desplazamiento. Teniendo en cuenta las insuficiencias detectadas en la preparación de los especialistas en medicina general integral para efectuar el diagnóstico temprano de ancianos con trastornos de la marcha, surgió la necesidad de sistematizar los referentes teóricos que sustentan la superación de estos profesionales. En tal sentido, en el presente artículo se describen los cambios en los sistemas de órganos relacionados con la marcha, la clasificación clínica, las causas y las consecuencias, lo cual ayudará a solucionar esta problemática en la atención primaria de salud.

Aging is a group of morphological and physiologic modifications that appear as consequence of the time action on living beings, and imply changes in the organic systems that influence in movement. Taking into account the inadequacies detected in the preparation of comprehensive general medicine specialists to make the early diagnosis of elderly with gait disorders, it was necessary to systematize the theoretical referents that sustain the training of these professionals. In such a sense, changes in the systems of organs related to gait, clinical classification, causes and consequences are dsecribed in this work, which will help to solve this problem in primary health care.

Cambios en la marcha asociados con demencia por cuerpos de Lewy: una revisión narrativa de la literatura / Gait changes associated with Lewy body dementia: a narrative review of the literature

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La demencia por cuerpos de Lewy (DCL) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa con alta prevalencia y a menudo subdiagnosticada. En las demencias pueden presentarse alteraciones en la marcha que potencialmente permitan identificar su subtipo y dar una orientación clínica, diagnóstica y terapéutica temprana. Esta revisión narrativa de la literatura busca revisar los cambios de la marcha que se han descrito asociados con DCL. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre la relación de las alteraciones de la marcha con la DCL. Se seleccionaron los siguientes parámetros de búsqueda mediante el buscador Scopus: ((falls and dementia and gait and (evaluation or analysis))). Los datos se ordenaron según relevancia y se obtuvieron 267 resultados. Igualmente, se hizo una búsqueda en PubMed, para a la que se introdujeron los términos (gait and lewy-body-disease), y no se utilizaron otros filtros; se obtuvieron 139 resultados. Se hizo una selección no sistemática de los artículos para llevar a cabo una revisión narrativa acerca de los cambios en la marcha asociados con DCL. RESULTADOS: Las alteraciones en la marcha pueden tener un valor predictor importante en la DCL. Los pacientes con demencias no debido a EA o causas vasculares muestran un deterioro de la funcionalidad física más rápido comparado con pacientes con EA y sin problemas cognitivos. La priorización incorrecta de las tareas, evidenciada en la EP, también es observable en los pacientes con DCL, y se asocia con el paradigma de doble tarea en el paciente con trastorno neurocognitivo mayor. El congelamiento de la marcha, también conocido como bloqueo de la marcha, se ha asociado con mayor progresión de la alteración cognitiva. Los pacientes con DCL también presentan un mayor compromiso en el tiempo de balanceo y la variabilidad de duración de la zancada, como también peor desempeño en ritmo y variabilidad de la marcha, e inestabilidad de la marcha, con posturas inadecuadas. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una relación entre la DCL y las caídas en el adulto mayor. En este grupo de edad, los cambios en la marcha y en las pruebas de desempeño podrían tener una utilidad clínica como factores asociados a con DCL, así como con las caídas. Al parecer, existe una variación característica entre los parámetros de la marcha y los subtipos de demencias que puede tener un valor como marcador diagnóstico. Se requieren más estudios con respecto a este tema puesto que hay escasa evidencia disponible hasta el momento, lo cual impide definir con mayor precisión las alteraciones más sensibles de cada dominio de la marcha que permitan diferenciar el envejecimiento normal del patológico.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Lewy body dementia is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative disease and often goes unnoticed due to little knowledge about it. In dementias there may be gait alterations that potentially allow the identification of its subtype and provide early clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic guidance. This narrative review of the literature aims to review gait changes that have been described as associated with Lewy body dementia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was carried out on the relationship of gait disturbances and LBD. The following search parameters were selected using the Scopus search engine: ((falls and dementia and gait and (evaluation or analysis))). The data were ordered according to relevance, obtaining 267 results. Likewise, a search was made in PubMed, using the terms (gait and lewy-body-disease), and no other filters were used, obtaining 139 results. A non-systematic selection of literature was made to carry out a narrative review about the changes in gait associated with LBD. RESULTS: We found that gait disturbances may have an important predictive value in LBD. Patients with dementias not due to AD or vascular causes have a faster deterioration of physical function compared to patients with AD and without cognitive problems. The incorrect prioritization of tasks evidenced in PD is also observable in patients with LBD and is associated with the "dual-task" paradigm in patients with major neurocognitive disorder. Freezing of gait, also known as motor block or "freezing of gait" has been associated with a greater progression of cognitive impairment. Patients with LBD also show greater compromise in swing time, stride duration variability, poorer performance in gait pace and variability, and gait instability with inappropriate postures. CONCLUSIONS: We observe that there is a relationship between LBD and falls in the elderly. Changes in gait and performance tests could have clinical utility as factors associated with LBD as well as falls in the elderly. There appears to be a characteristic variation between gait parameters and dementia subtypes that may have value as a diagnostic marker. More studies are required on this subject since there is little evidence available to date, which makes it impossible to define with greater precision the most sensitive alterations in each domain of gait that make it possible to differentiate normal from pathological aging.

Os efeitos da reabilitação baseada em exercícios sobre a marcha de pacientes com doença de Parkinson: uma revisão sistemática / The effects of exercise-based rehabilitation on the gait of patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review

Introdução: Mais de 85% das pessoas com Doença de Parkinson (DP) desenvolvem dificuldades de locomoção dentro de 3 anos após o diagnóstico, sendo os distúrbios da marcha considerados os sintomas motores mais incapacitantes da DP, levando a um declínio substancial na mobilidade e independência. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre os efeitos encontrados após reabilitação baseada em exercícios na marcha em pacientes com DP. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática buscando artigos nas bases de dados Pubmed, Lilacs, PEDro, Scielo e Scopus, com estudos publicados nos últimos dez anos. Os termos usados para pesquisa foram selecionados de acordo com o DeCS/MeSH (Descritores em Ciências da Saúde/ Medical Subject Headings). Resultados: A busca resultou em 514 estudos e 58 desses estudos foram apropriados para inclusão. Após avaliação metodológica dos 58 estudos, apenas trabalhos classificados como de alta qualidade metodológica foram incluídos. Foi verificado que programa com treinamento de marcha, fortalecimento, dupla tarefa, equilíbrio e resistência demonstram em sua maioria efeitos positivos na velocidade, cadência, comprimento da passada, comprimento do passo, capacidade e resistência da marcha. Conclusão: Os estudos apresentados nesta revisão demonstram em sua maioria efeitos positivos após reabilitação baseada em exercícios na marcha de pacientes com DP. (AU)

Descriptive epidemiological study on patients with movement disorders, with emphasis on Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Knowing the epidemiological profile is relevant for improving healthcare practices. Movement disorders are neurological disorders characterized by the presence of involuntary movements. They have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To outline the frequencies of the different diagnoses seen among patients, along with their demographic characteristics, at a hospital in São Paulo (SP), Brazil, and to highlight the clinical aspects of those with Parkinson's disease. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis at a specialized outpatient clinic in a state public hospital in São Paulo. METHODS: Patients treated at this clinic over a four-year period were analyzed. Diagnoses, demographic variables and associations with clinical aspects of Parkinson's disease were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of the 680 medical records analyzed, 58.4% related to females. Most patients were over 60 years of age, white, married and teachers. The most frequent diagnosis was Parkinson's disease, followed by essential tremor and dystonia. Parkinson's disease presented in the mixed clinical form; the most common initial symptom was tremor. The akinetic-rigid clinical form occurred in younger individuals and mostly presented with postural instability and freezing of gait in the early years of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia were the most frequent diagnoses. Characteristics like sex, frequency of other pathological conditions and the clinical and demographic aspects of Parkinson's disease were consistent with the data in the relevant literature.

Análisis de la marcha y el equilibrio mediante el uso de sensores inerciales: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, no aleatorio / Gait and balance analysis through the use of inertial sensors. Prospective, longitudinal, non-randomized study

Antecedentes: la población mundial envejece de manera acelerada. Una tercera parte de los mayores de 65 años se cae por lo menos una vez al año, y esta prevalencia se incrementan a la mitad cuando se superan los 69 años. Objetivo: establecer la sensibilidad del uso de sensores inerciales para determinar la marcha y las rotaciones del tronco en un grupo de individuos sanos. Materiales: utilizamos tres sensores inerciales de nueve ejes, junto a un mismo número de microcontroladores, los cuales enviaron la información vía bluetooth al ordenador, el procesamiento de los datos fue realizado mediante un programa de análisis desarrollado en MATLAB. Para analizar la sensibilidad de los sensores utilizamos el protocolo de Akram et al.,5 modificado, el cual consta de cinco actividades. Resultados: en nuestro estudio participaron seis voluntarios, con una media de edad de 29 años, con un rango de edad de 25 a 33 años. Los sensores fueron capaces de detectar múltiples variables, entre ellas la elevación máxima y mínima de las piernas, número de pasos, el grado de inclinación del tronco, giro, velocidad y cadencia. Conclusión: los resultados hasta ahora obtenidos son prometedores y consideramos que el uso de múltiples sensores inerciales para valorar la marcha y el equilibrio podrían resultar en una nueva herramienta para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de personas con trastorno de la marcha y equilibrio

Introduction: The world population is aging rapidly. A third of those over 65 years of age falls at least once a year, and this prevalence increases by half when they exceed 69 years. Objective: To determine the sensitivity of the use of inertial sensors to determine the gait and rotations of the trunk in a group of healthy individuals. Materials: We use 3 inertial sensors of 9-axis together with the same number of microcontrollers, that sent the information via bluetooth to the computer, the data processing was carried out through an analysis program developed in MATLAB. To analyze the sensitivity of the sensors we use the protocol of Akram et al,5 modified, which consists of 5 activities. Results: In our study 6 volunteers participated, with an average age of 29 years, with an age range 25 to 33 years. The sensors were able to detect multiple variables, including the maximum and minimum elevation of the legs, number of steps, the degree of inclination of the trunk, rotation, speed and cadence. Conclusion: The results obtained are promising and we believe that the use of multiple inertial sensors to assess gait and balance could result in a new tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of people with gait and balance disorder.

Effects of treadmill training on gait of elders with Parkinson's disease: a literature review / Efeitos do treinamento de marcha em esteira em idosos com doença de Parkinson: uma revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in old age. Aging process for elders with Parkinson's disease can induce gait disturbances with more functional disabilities than for elders without the disease. Treadmill training as a therapy has resulted in notable effects on the gait of patients with Parkinson's disease and may be a resource for geriatric neurological rehabilitation. This review aimed to study the effects on gait after treadmill training in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. The search was performed in the databases PubMed®, LILACS, PEDro and EMBASE, with the following keywords: "Parkinson's disease", "elderly", "treadmill training" and "gait evaluation". The quality of the studies included was assessed by PEDro Scale. Eleven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight studies were randomized, and only one did a follow-up. One can observe in this review that treadmill training with or without weight support (at least 20 minutes, two to three times a week, with progressive increase of loads, for minimum of 6 weeks) in elderly patients with the Parkinson's disease was effective to improve gait. In addition, both were considered safe (since some studies described the use of belts, even in unsupported training) and can be associated with therapies complementary to gait, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, visual cues or anodal transcranial direct current stimulation. Treadmill training in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease is an intervention that improves gait outcomes, but further studies are required for better proofs.

RESUMO A doença de Parkinson é o segundo distúrbio neurodegenerativo mais comum na velhice. O processo de envelhecimento de idosos com doença de Parkinson pode levar a distúrbios de marcha com mais incapacidades funcionais do que para idosos sem a doença. O treinamento em esteira como terapia pode resultar em efeitos notáveis na marcha de pacientes com Parkinson e ser um recurso para a reabilitação neurológica geriátrica. Esta revisão teve como objetivo estudar os efeitos da marcha após o treinamento em esteira na doença de Parkinson em idosos. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed®, LILACS, PEDro e EMBASE, com os seguintes descritores: "doença de Parkinson", "idosos", "treinamento em esteira" e "avaliação da marcha". A qualidade dos estudos incluídos foi avaliada pela escala de PEDro. Atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão 11 estudos. Oito estudos foram randomizados, e apenas um fez follow-up . Foi possível observar que treinamento em esteira com ou sem suporte de peso (por pelo menos 20 minutos, duas a três vezes por semana, com aumento progressivo de cargas, por, no mínimo, 6 semanas) em idosos com doença de Parkinson foi efetivo para melhorar a marcha. Além disso, ambos os treinamentos foram considerados seguros (pois alguns estudos relataram o uso de cintos, mesmo no treinamento sem suporte de peso) e podem ser associados a terapias complementares à marcha, como estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva, estímulos visuais ou estimulação transcraniana direta anódica. O treinamento em esteira em pacientes idosos com doença de Parkinson é uma intervenção que melhora os resultados da marcha, mas requer mais estudos para melhor comprovação.

Beneficios de la terapia asistida por caballos en las variables de la marcha en personas mayores de 18 años, con deficiencias motoras secundarias, ante un accidente cerebrovascular o esclerosis múltiple / Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy on the Gait Variables in People Older Than 18 Years with Motor Impairments Secondary to Stroke or Multiple Sclerosis / Benefícios da terapia assistida por cavalo nas variáveis de marcha em pessoas maiores de 18 anos com alterações motoras secundárias a acidente vascular cerebral ou esclerose múltipla

Resumen El propósito de este artículo es analizar los resultados obtenidos sobre los beneficios de la terapia asistida por caballos, en variables de la marcha (equilibrio, coordinación y control postural), en personas mayores de 18 años con deficiencias corporales o fisiológicas, transitorias o permanentes, secundarias, ante un accidente cerebrovascular (isquémico o hemorrágico) o EM (recaída-remisión o secundaria progresiva), luego de haber participado en entrenamientos de dicha terapia. La metodología utilizada fue una revisión narrativa de la literatura existente, con método de búsqueda sistemático, en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS y Scopus, con el fin de realizar una actualización bibliográfica del tema. Finalmente, se seleccionaron 11 artículos (revisiones sistemáticas, ECA, estudio control) para su posterior análisis. Los resultados de estos artículos coinciden en que el uso de la terapia asistida por caballos pudiera ser efectiva en la mejora de las variables ya mencionadas. No obstante, la información existente en las distintas plataformas de búsqueda es escasa, por lo que surge la necesidad de llevar a cabo estudios con un tamaño de muestra representativo, en los que se utilicen las mismas escalas de evaluación, con el propósito de poder objetivar y homologar los resultados. A modo de conclusión, se establece que hoy existen estudios, originados en diferentes partes del mundo, los cuales indican que la terapia asistida por caballos podría ser una herramienta efectiva en la rehabilitación de los distintos componentes que afectan la marcha, como el equilibrio o la coordinación, en personas con deficiencias motoras secundarias, ante un ACV (isquémico o hemorrágico) o EM (recaída-remisión o secundaria progresiva). En consecuencia, se podría considerar la utilización de la terapia asistida por caballos como una herramienta terapéutica, en el proceso de rehabilitación de la marcha en personas mayores de 18 años con daño neurológico.

Abstract We analyzed the results obtained from the benefits of equine-assisted therapy in gait variables (balance, coordination and postural control) on people over eighteen years old with transitory or permanent physical and/or physiological deficiencies secondary to stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or multiple sclerosis (relapseremission and/or secondary progressive) after their participation in the therapy. The methodology used was a narrative review of the existing up-to-date literature with a systematic research method on the following databases: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus in order to make a bibliographical update about the topic. At last, eleven articles were selected for further analysis (systematic reviews, Randomized Clinical Trial, a case-control study). The results of these articles agree that the use of equine-assisted therapy can be effective in improving the variables mentioned above. However, there is not enough information available on different search engines, so there is a need to conduct studies with a representative sample size where they have to use the same evaluation scales in order to be able to objectify and standardize the results. Conclusion: nowadays around the world there are different studies, which indicate that equine-assisted therapy can be an effective tool in the rehabilitation of the different components that affect gait, such as balance or coordination, in people with motor impairments secondary to stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or Multiple Sclerosis (relapseremission and/or secondary progressive). Therefore, we could consider the use of equine-assisted therapy as a therapeutic tool in the rehabilitation process of gait in people over eighteen years old with neurological damage.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os resultados obtidos sobre os benefícios da terapia assistida por cavalo nas variáveis de marcha (equilíbrio, coordenação e controle postural) em pessoas maiores de 18 anos com deficiências fisiológicas e/ou corporais transitórias ou permanentes, secundárias a um Acidente Cerebrovascular (isquêmico e/ou hemorrágico) ou EM (recidiva-remissão e/ou secundário progressivo), após terem participado do treinamento dessa terapia. A Metodologia utilizada foi uma revisão narrativa da literatura existente atualizada com método de busca sistemática, nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS e Scopus a fim de atualizar a bibliografia sobre o assunto. Onze artigos (revisões sistemáticas, ECRs, estudo de controle) foram finalmente selecionados para análise posterior. Os resultados desses artigos concordam que o uso da terapia assistida por cavalo pode ser eficaz para melhorar as variáveis já mencionadas. No entanto, a informação existente nas diferentes plataformas de pesquisa é escassa, pelo que existe a necessidade de realizar estudos com um tamanho amostral representativo, em que sejam utilizadas as mesmas escalas de avaliação, a fim de se poder objetivar e padronizar os resultados. Conclusão: Atualmente existem estudos realizados em diferentes partes do mundo que indicam que a terapia assistida por cavalo pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz na reabilitação dos diferentes componentes que afetam a marcha, como o equilíbrio ou a coordenação, em pessoas com alterações motoras secundárias a um AVC (isquêmico e/ou hemorrágico) ou EM (recaída-remissão e/ou secundário progressivo). Consequentemente, o uso da terapia assistida por cavalo pode ser considerado como uma ferramenta terapêutica no processo de reabilitação da marcha em pessoas maiores de 18 anos com lesão neurológica.

Falls in persons with Parkinson's disease: Do non-motor symptoms matter as much as motor symptoms? / Caídas en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson: ¿Los síntomas no motores importan tanto como los síntomas motores?

ABSTRACT Falls are common among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). On the other hand, predicting falls is complex as there are both generic and PD-specific contributors. In particular, the role of non-motor symptoms has been less studied. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the role of non-motor predictors of falling in persons with PD (PwP). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in PwP recruited from a movement disorders clinic. Clinical and demographical data were collected. All PwP were assessed using the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS). Variables were assessed at the bivariate level. Significant variables were put into a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 179 PwP were included. Overall, 16.8% of PwP had fallen in the past 12 months, with 53.3% of them being recurrent fallers. The mean number of monthly falls was 2.5 ± 3.3. Factors associated with falling in the bivariate analysis included the disease duration, Hoehn and Yahr stage, MDS-UPDRS part I and II, postural instability/gait disturbance (PIGD) subtype, NMSS urinary domain, NMSS miscellaneous domain, and non-motor severity burden (all p-values < 0.05). After multivariate analysis, only the disease duration (p = 0.03) and PIGD (p = 0.03) remained as independent risk factors. Conclusion: Disease duration and the PIGD subtype were identified as relevant risk factors for falls in PwP Non-motor symptoms appear to have a less important role as risk factors for falls.

RESUMEN Las caídas son frecuentes entre las personas con Parkinson (EP). La predicción de caídas es compleja ya que existen contribuyentes genéricos y específicos. El papel de los síntomas no motores ha sido menos estudiado. Objetivo: Identificar el papel de los factores no motores en caídas en personas con EP (PcP). Métodos: Estudio transversal en PcP reclutadas en una clínica de trastornos del movimiento. Se incluyeron datos clínicos y demográficos. Todos los PcP se evaluaron con la Escala Unificada de Enfermedad de Parkinson modificada por la Sociedad Internacional de Trastornos del Movimiento (MDS-UPDRS) y la Escala de Síntomas No Motores (NMSS). Se incluyeron variables significativas en un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 179 PcP El 16.8% había presentado una caída en los últimos doce meses y el 53.3% de forma recurrente. El número medio de caídas mensuales fue de 2.5 ± 3.3. Los factores asociados con la caída en el análisis bivariado fueron la duración de la enfermedad, Hoehn e Yahr, MDS-UPDRS parte I y II, subtipo de alteración de la marcha/inestabilidad postural (PIGD), dominio urinario del NMSS, dominio misceláneo del NMSS y carga de severidad no motora (todos los valores de p < 0.05). Después del análisis multivariado, solo la duración de la enfermedad (p = 0.03) y PIGD (p = 0.03) permanecieron como un factor de riesgo independiente. Conclusión: La duración de la enfermedad y PIGD se identificaron como factores de riesgo para caídas. Los síntomas no motores parecen tener un papel menos relevante en las caídas.

Congelamento da marcha e de membros superiores na doença de Parkinson / Freezing of gait and upper limbs in Parkinson's disease

O fenômeno do congelamento é considerado um sintoma incapacitante para indivíduos acometidos pela doença de Parkinson, gerando impactos negativos na mobilidade, funcionalidade e qualidade de vida. O congelamento pode acometer membros inferiores (congelamento da marcha) e/ou membros superiores, sendo caracterizado por súbita incapacidade de iniciar ou manter a amplitude dos movimentos. A fisiopatologia do congelamento ainda não é compreendida, porém atribui-se às alterações em diferentes estruturas neuroanatômicas, tais como: núcleo pedúnculo-pontino, locus ceruleus, circuitaria dos núcleos da base, pedúnculo cerebelar e córtices cerebrais e sistema límbico. Fatores que contribuem para o surgimento do congelamento são: tempo de duração da doença, idade avançada, subtipo acinético-rígido da doença, ansiedade ou depressão, perfil de tratamento farmacológico. Sugere-se que o congelamento da marcha e dos membros superiores compartilhem das mesmas características espaço-temporais. A avaliação clínica do congelamento da marcha é melhor estabelecida quando comparada com a avaliação do congelamento dos membros superiores. Estratégias para minimizar o fenômeno do congelamento são descritas no presente artigo.

The phenomenon of freezing is a disabling symptom for subjects with Parkinson's disease, causing impairment in mobility, functionality and quality of life. Freezing may affect lower limbs (freezing of gait) or upper limbs, and is characterized by sudden inability to initiate or maintain range of motion. The pathophysiology of freezing is not yet understood, but it is attributed to changes in different neuroanatomical structures, such as: pedunculopontine nucleus, locus ceruleus, basal ganglia circuitry, pedunculocerebellar and cerebral cortices and limbic system. Factors that contribute to the appearance of freezing are: advanced age, akinetic-rigid subtype of the disease, anxiety or depression, pharmacological treatment strategies. It is suggested that the freezing of gait and upper limbs share the same spatiotemporal characteristics. The clinical evaluation of freezing of gait is better established when compared to the freezing of upper limbs. Strategies to minimize the phenomenon of freezing are described in this article.

Freezing of Gait Detection System for Parkinson's Patients Based on Inertial Measurement Unit / 中国医疗器械杂志

In order to detect freezing of gait of Parkinson's patients automatically, a system based on inertial measurement unit to detect freezing of gait for Parkinson's patients is established. The two inertial measurement units are respectively fixed on the left and right ankles of the patient to be measured, the freezing index is calculated by windowed Fourier transform, the freezing threshold is calculated based on the freezing index during normal walking, and the freezing index and the freezing threshold are compared to complete the detection of freezing of gait. The experimental results show that the number of freezing of gait occurrences in Parkinson's patients is accurately detected, and it has high sensitivity and specificity, which can assist doctors to objectively assess the patient's condition.

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Direct Puncture and Onyx Embolization for Transverse Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula

Direct puncture and embolization of the transverse sinus (TS) for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is typically performed with coils with or without glue. We report a case of DAVF at the left TS that was treated with Onyx embolization via direct puncture of the TS. A 75-year-old woman presented with tremor, festinating gait, and dysarthria. A left TS-DAVF with retrograde superior sagittal sinus and cortical venous reflux (Cognard type IIa+b) was identified on cerebral angiography, and both TSs were occluded with thrombi. We considered that achieving complete cure by transvenous embolization via the femoral vein or transarterial embolization via occipital feeders would be difficult. Thus, we performed a small craniotomy at the occipital bone to puncture the TS. The midportion of the TS was directly punctured with a 21-G microneedle under fluoroscopic guidance. We inserted a 5-F sheath into the TS. A microcatheter was then navigated into the affected sinus. Coils were placed through the microcatheter to support Onyx formation by reducing the pressure of shunting flow. Onyx embolization was performed with the same microcatheter. The DAVF was almost completely occluded except for the presence of minimal shunting flow to the proximal TS. After 1 week, time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography showed complete resolution of DAVF. The patient showed resolved tremor and markedly improved mental status at 1-month follow up. Direct puncture and embolization of the TS using coils and Onyx is effective and feasible method for the treatment of DAVF when other approaches seem difficult.

Thiamine Deficiency in a Child with Short Bowel Syndrome and Review / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Thiamine (vitamin B₁) is a water-soluble vitamin that is not endogenously synthesized in humans. It is absorbed by the small intestine, where it is activated. Its active form acts as a coenzyme in many energy pathways. We report a rare case of thiamine deficiency in a 3.5-year old boy with short bowel syndrome secondary to extensive bowel resection due to necrotizing enterocolitis during his neonatal age. The patient was parenteral nutrition-dependent since birth and had suffered from recurrent central catheter-related bloodstream infections. He developed confusion with disorientation and unsteady gait as well as profound strabismus due to bilateral paresis of the abductor muscle. Based on these and a very low thiamine level he was diagnosed and treated for Wernicke encephalopathy due to incomplete thiamine acquisition despite adequate administration. He fully recovered after thiamine administration. After 1999 eight more cases have been reported in the PubMed mostly of iatrogenic origin.

Automatic recognition and analysis of hemiplegia gait / 生物医学工程学杂志

In this paper, the research has been conducted by the Microsoft kinect for windows v2 for obtaining the walking trajectory data from hemiplegic patients, based on which we achieved automatic identification of the hemiplegic gait and sorted the significance of identified features. First of all, the experimental group and two control groups were set up in the study. The three groups of subjects respectively completed the prescribed standard movements according to the requirements. The walking track data of the subjects were obtained straightaway by Kinect, from which the gait identification features were extracted: the moving range of pace, stride and center of mass (up and down/left and right). Then, the bayesian classification algorithm was utilized to classify the sample set of these features so as to automatically recognize the hemiplegia gait. Finally, the random forest algorithm was used to identify the significance of each feature, providing references for the diagnose of disease by ranking the importance of each feature. This thesis states that the accuracy of classification approach based on bayesian algorithm reaches 96%; the sequence of significance based on the random forest algorithm is step speed, stride, left-right moving distance of the center of mass, and up-down moving distance of the center of mass. The combination of step speed and stride, and the combination of step speed and center of mass moving distance are important reference for analyzing and diagnosing of the hemiplegia gait. The results may provide creative mind and new references for the intelligent diagnosis of hemiplegia gait.

Arnold-Chiari Type 1 Malformation Mimicking Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / 대한평형의학회지

Arnold-Chiari malformation type 1 is a congenital disease characterized by herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. Most common clinical symptom is pain, including occipital headache and neck pain, upper limb pain exacerbated by physical activity or valsalva maneuvers. Various otoneurological manifestations also occur in patients with the disease, which has usually associated with dizziness, vomiting, dysphagia, poor hand coordination, unsteady gait, numbness. Patients with Arnold-Chiari malformation may develop vertigo after spending some time with their head inclined on their trunk. Positional and down-beating nystagmus are common forms of nystagmus in them. We experienced a 12-year-old female who presented complaining of vertigo related to changes in head position which was initially misdiagnosed as a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Risk Factors for Falls in Tertiary Hospital Inpatients: A Survival Analysis / 중환자간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for falls in tertiary hospital inpatients and to suggest data for developing a nursing intervention program for preventing falls.METHODS: Data were collected between January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used to measure the survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for the differences between the fall group and the non-fall group. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the risk factors for falls.RESULTS: The incidence rate of falls for the inpatients was 1.2 cases per 1,000 days of hospitalization. The risk factors for falls were more likely to be found among those who were aged ≥81, had not undergone surgery, had poor joint motion, had unsteady gait, needed help or supervision, used assistive devices, had comorbidity, and took at least two drugs.CONCLUSION: For the inpatients, the risk factors for falls included age, surgery, comorbidity, medication that could change mobility, joint motion, and use of patient care equipment. It is necessary to give special attention to inpatients who have any of these risk factors and to develop a falls risk assessment tool.

Estudio piloto sobre la utilización de la Estimulación Rítmica Auditiva empleando tango para mejorar la marcha y la calidad de vida en pacientes con Enfermedad de Parkinson que experimentan trastornos de la marcha / PILOT STUDY OF THE USE OF RHYTHMIC AUDITORY STIMULATION USING ARGENTINE TANGO, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE GAIT DISORDERS AND QUALITY OF LIFE, IN PARKINSON´S DISEASE PATIENTS

La Estimulación Rítmica Auditiva (ERA) es una técnica que facilita la rehabilitación de movimientos que son intrínseca y biológicamente rítmicos, como la marcha. Utiliza los efectos fisiológicos del ritmo auditivo sobre el sistema motor y funciona como un estímulo de sincronización y como facilitador para lograr patrones de marchas fisiológicos. El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue comparar los parámetros de marcha y calidad de vida antes y después de la implementación de ERA en pacientes con Enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) que sufrían trastornos de la marcha. Para el estudio se reclutaron 10 pacientes con EP "clínicamente establecida o probable" según criterios diagnósticos internacionales de entre 60 y 85 años de edad, con trastornos de la marcha leves. El entrenamiento con ERA duró 6 semanas y utilizó piezas de tango para sincronizar la marcha a rentes niveles de cadencia. Los resultados muestran una mejoría significativa de la marcha y el equilibrio (escala de Tinetti) luego del entrenamiento con ERA, la cual fue acompañada por una tendencia a la mejoría de la calidad de vida (escala PDQ-39). Estos resultados sugieren que la ERA fue capaz de mejorar la marcha y esto se tradujo en mejorías funcionales. Se requieren estudios aleatorizados, ciego y controlados en un mayor número de pacientes para continuar estudiando la potencial eficacia de la ERA

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) is a technique that facilitates the rehabilitation of movements that are intrinsically and biologically rhythmic, such as gait. It uses the physiological effects of perceived rhythm on the motor system and functions as a synchronization stimulus and as a facilitator to improved gait patterns. The objective of this pilot study was to compare gait parameters and quality of life before and after the implementation of RAS in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) with gait difficulties. For the study, 10 patients with clinically established or probable PD according to international diagnostic criteria, between 60 and 85 years of age, who suffered from mild gait disorders were recruited. Training with RAS lasted 6 weeks and used tango pieces to synchronize gait to different levels of cadence. The results show a significant improvement in gait and balance (Tinetti scale) after training with RAS, which was accompanied by a tendency to improve the quality of life (PDQ-39 scale). These results suggest that RAS was able to improve gait, which translated into functional improvements. Randomized, blinded, controlled trials in a larger number of patients are required to further assess the potential efficacy of RAS.

Otoneurological findings prevalent in hereditary ataxias / Alterações otoneurológicas prevalentes nas ataxias hereditárias

ABSTRACT Objective To describe and compare the vestibular findings most evident among the hereditary ataxias, as well as correlate their clinical features with the nervous structures affected in this disease. Methods Seventy-five patients were evaluated and underwent a case history, otorhinolaryngological and vestibular assessments. Results Clinically, the patients commonly had symptoms of gait disturbances (67.1%), dizziness (47.3%), dysarthria (46%) and dysphagia (36.8%). In vestibular testing, alterations were predominantly evident in caloric testing (79%), testing for saccadic dysmetria (51%) and rotational chair testing (47%). The presence of alterations occurred in 87% of these patients. A majority of the alterations were from central vestibular dysfunction (69.3%). Conclusion This underscores the importance of the contribution of topodiagnostic labyrinthine evaluations for neurodegenerative diseases as, in most cases, the initial symptoms are otoneurological; and these evaluations should also be included in the selection of procedures to be performed in clinical and therapeutic monitoring.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever e comparar os achados vestibulares mais evidentes entre a ataxia hereditária, bem como correlacionar seus aspectos clínicos com o estudo das estruturas nervosas afetadas nesta doença. Métodos 75 pacientes foram avaliados e submetidos aos seguintes procedimentos: anamnese, avaliação otorrinolaringológica e vestibular. Resultados Clinicamente, os pacientes apresentaram sintomas de distúrbios da marcha (67,1%), tonturas (47,3%), disartria (46%) e disfagia (36,8%). No teste vestibular, as alterações foram predominantemente evidentes no teste calórico (79%), dismetria sacádicas (51%) e no teste rotatório (47%). A presença de alterações ocorreu em 87% dos pacientes. A maioria das alterações observadas foram da disfunção vestibular central (69,3%). Conclusão O estudo ressalta a importância da contribuição da avaliação labiríntica no topodiagnóstico para doenças neurodegenerativas, uma vez que, na maioria dos casos, os sintomas iniciais são otoneurológicos, e essas avaliações também devem ser incluídas na seleção de procedimentos a serem realizados no monitoramento clínico e terapêutico.

An Experience of Judicial Autopsy for a Death by Muscular Dystrophy: An Autopsy Case / 대한법의학회지

Progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) is a primary muscle disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, which is inherited by an X-linked recessive pattern and occurs mainly in males. There are several types of muscular dystrophies classified according to the distribution of predominant muscle weakness including Duchenne and Becker, Emery-Dreifuss, facioscapulohumeral, oculopharyngeal, and limb-girdle type. Clinical manifestations of PMD are clumsy, unsteady gait, pneumonia, heart failure, pulmonary edema, hydropericardium, hydrothorax, aspiration, syncopal attacks, and sudden cardiac death. The deceased was a 34-year-old man, and the onset of the first clinical symptom, gait disturbance, was in his late teens. His elder brother had the same disease and experienced brain death after a head trauma and died after mechanical ventilation was discontinued. After an autopsy, we found contracture of the joints, pseudohypertrophy of the calf, wasting and fat replacement of the thigh muscle, pericardial effusion (80 mL), fibrosis and fat replacement of the cardiac ventricular wall, pulmonary edema, and froth in the bronchus. The cause of death was heart failure and dyspnea due to muscular dystrophy. There was no sign or suspicion of foul play in his death.

Pyramidal and Proprioceptive Dysfunctions as the Main Neurologic Features in Symptomatic Type I Chiari Malformation Patients

Objective Broader access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has increased the diagnosis of tonsillar ectopia, with most of these patients being asymptomatic. The early diagnosis and treatment of type I Chiari malformation (CM I) patients has impact on the prognosis. This study supplements information about the neurologic exam of symptomatic patients with CM I. Methods The sample was composed of 32 symptomatic patients with CM I diagnosed by a combination of tonsil herniation of more than 5 mm below the magnum foramen (observed in the sagittal T2 MRI) and at least one of the following alterations: intractable occipital headache, ataxia, upper or lower motor neuron impairment, sensitivity deficits (superficial and deep) or lower cranial nerves disorders. Results Occipital headache was the most frequent symptom (53.12%). During the physical exam, the most common dysfunctions were those from the pyramidal system (96.87%), followed by posterior cord syndrome (87.5%). Discussion In this study, patients became symptomatic around the fifth decade of life, which is compatible with previous descriptions. Patients withmore than 2 years of evolution have worse responses to treatment. Occipital headache, symptoms in the upper limbs, gait and proprioceptive disorders are common findings in patients with CM I. Conclusion Deep tendinous reflexes and proprioception disorders were the main neurologic features found in symptomatic CM I patients.

A program of physical activity improves gait impairment in people with Alzheimer's disease

AIM: This study aimed to identify the effects of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) on gait parameters after a four-month period and to investigate the effects of a four-month program of physical activity, with emphasis on the cognitive components of gait during single and dual task, in people with AD. METHODS: Twenty-three people with AD, divided into the Training Group (TG; n=12; aged 79.17±7.62 years) and the Control Group (CG; n=11; aged 77.00±5.57 years), and eleven healthy older adults (Healthy Group - HG; aged 75.82±4.83 years) were included in this study. TG participated in a physical activity program for four months. The CG and HG were instructed not to participate in any kind of regular physical activity in this period. The physical activity program includes motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously. The participants attended a 1-h session three times a week. The kinematic parameters of gait were analyzed under two conditions, before and after a physical activity program: single and dual task. Deltas for all dependent variables between pre and post training were calculated. The deltas were compared using two-way ANOVAs with group (TG x CG and CG x HG) and task (single x dual task) as factors, with repeated measures for task. RESULTS: After the training period, the TG improved stride length, duration, velocity and cadence compared to the CG. CONCLUSION: Physical activity with emphasis on cognitive components promotes better reallocation of attention while walking in people with AD, improving attentional focus on the gait and thus resulting in a safer locomotive pattern.(AU)