The walk-bicycle: A new assistive device for Parkinson's patients with freezing of gait?

C. Stummer; V. Dibilio; S. Overeem; V. Weerdesteyn; B.R. Bloem; J. Nonnekes

doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.04.025

The walk-bicycle: A new assistive device for Parkinson's patients with freezing of gait?

C. Stummer
, V. Dibilio
, S. Overeem
, V. Weerdesteyn
, B.R. Bloem
, J. Nonnekes

BioMedical Diagnostics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a "walk-bicycle" in reducing freezing of gait (FOG).

METHODS: Eighteen Parkinson patients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible.

RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle.

CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	755-757
Number of pages	3
Journal	Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Volume	21
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.04.025
Publication status	Published - Jul 2015

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title = "The walk-bicycle: A new assistive device for Parkinson's patients with freezing of gait?",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a {"}walk-bicycle{"} in reducing freezing of gait (FOG).METHODS: Eighteen Parkinson patients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible.RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12\% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle.CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.",

author = "C. Stummer and V. Dibilio and S. Overeem and V. Weerdesteyn and B.R. Bloem and J. Nonnekes",

year = "2015",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.04.025",

language = "English",

volume = "21",

pages = "755--757",

journal = "Parkinsonism \& Related Disorders",

issn = "1353-8020",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "7",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The walk-bicycle

T2 - A new assistive device for Parkinson's patients with freezing of gait?

AU - Stummer, C.

AU - Dibilio, V.

AU - Overeem, S.

AU - Weerdesteyn, V.

AU - Bloem, B.R.

AU - Nonnekes, J.

PY - 2015/7

Y1 - 2015/7

N2 - BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a "walk-bicycle" in reducing freezing of gait (FOG).METHODS: Eighteen Parkinson patients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible.RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle.CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.

AB - BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported a preserved ability to cycle in freezers, creating opportunities for restoring mobility and independence. However, use of a bicycle is not always feasible. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of a "walk-bicycle" in reducing freezing of gait (FOG).METHODS: Eighteen Parkinson patients with FOG performed the following tasks, each four times, with and without the walk-bicycle: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with small steps, at normal speed; (3) walking with small steps, as rapidly as possible.RESULTS: Seven patients showed FOG during walking without the walk-bicycle. In those patients, the walk-bicycle afforded a 12% reduction of time frozen (p = 0.026). In 11 patients no FOG was observed during walking without the walk-bicycle. Two of them showed FOG when using the walk-bicycle.CONCLUSIONS: The walk-bicycle may help to reduce FOG in some patients, but not in all. Future studies need to evaluate its usefulness in a home environment.

U2 - 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.04.025

DO - 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.04.025

M3 - Article

C2 - 25983112

SN - 1353-8020

VL - 21

SP - 755

EP - 757

JO - Parkinsonism & Related Disorders

JF - Parkinsonism & Related Disorders

IS - 7

ER -

The walk-bicycle: A new assistive device for Parkinson's patients with freezing of gait?

Abstract

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