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Ogundele A.O.1, Olaogun M.O.1,2, Komolafe M.A.3,4, Ogundele O.O.5
1Obafemi Awolowo Universiy Teaching Hospitals Complex, Department of Physiotherapy, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 2Bowen University, Department of Physiotherapy, Iwo, Nigeria, 3Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Medicine, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 4Obafemi Awolowo Universiy Teaching Hospitals Complex, Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 5Obafemi Awolowo Universiy Teaching Hospitals Complex, Department of Medicine, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Background: Parkinson´s disease (PD) is a complex and incapacitating disease characterized by progressive decline in motor function. It affects patient´s ability to navigate through their environment. Gait disturbances are some of the most significant consequences seen in this group of patients. There seems to be dearth of statistics reporting gait characteristics in patients with PD in this part of the world.
Purpose: To assess selected gait and anthropometric parameters in patients with Parkinson´s disease attending the Physical therapy clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: This cross-sectional study purposively recruited 29 patients with diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson´s disease from the Physical therapy clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. Data were obtained on anthropometric parameters of weight, height and BMI as well as demographic details of age and sex. Gait parameters of speed, cadence, step and stride length were assessed using a BTS G-walk G-studio device. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Results: The study participants were mainly in their early old-age with mean age of 66.90±8.24years. There were more males affected (79.3%).Majority of the participants had their BMI within the normal range (23.91±3.55)kg/m. Gait parameters of speed, (47.41±11.49m/min), Cadence (45.42±4.49steps/min), stride length (1.03±0.20)m and step length (0.51±0.10)m. Significant inverse relationship between advancing age and step length ( r= -0.86, p 0.05).
Conclusion(s): This study concluded that there was a significant gender predilection to male in patients with PD and that advancing age affects step length significantly.
Implications: Gait and anthropometric assessments are important clinical outcomes that should be considered in rehabilitation of patients with Parkinsons disease
Funding acknowledgements: This study was not funded by any organization or institution
Topic: Neurology: Parkinson's disease
Ethics approval: This study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, lle-Ife, Nigeria.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
