AI Article Synopsis
- Gait abnormalities significantly impact individuals with Parkinson's disease, increasing their risk of falls, yet there are no standardized guidelines for selecting appropriate assistive devices.
- A systematic review analyzed 17 studies, revealing that traditional devices like canes and walkers did not significantly improve freezing of gait or prevent falls, whereas visual and auditory cues were more effective in enhancing stride length and reducing freezing episodes.
- There remains a need for more comprehensive studies to better understand the effects of assistive devices on gait and overall functionality in people with Parkinson's disease.
Article Abstract
Background: Gait abnormalities are a hallmark of Parkinson's disease and contribute to falling risk. As disease symptoms progress, assistive devices are often prescribed. However, there are no guidelines for choosing appropriate ambulatory devices for gait impairment.
Objective: To review the scientific evidence on assistive devices for gait impairment in Parkinson's disease.
Methods: We performed a systematic literature review for articles relating to parkinsonian gait impairment and assistive devices. We assessed the studies' methodological quality and risk of bias using the PEDro scale.
Results: Seventeen articles were reviewed. Four articles (23.53%) showed that canes and standard and two-wheeled walkers without visual cues decreased gait speed and stride length, with no significant effects on freezing of gait or falls. Instead, improvements were observed with the use of visual [seven articles (41.18%)] and auditory cues [three articles (17.65%)], including decreased number of freezing episodes and increased stride length.
Conclusions: Although assistive devices seem to improve confidence, there is still limited information about the efficacy of assistive devices on gait parameters and functional disability in Parkinson's disease. Further, longitudinal, multicenter, randomized, blinded, and controlled studies using assistive devices in a free-living context are required to provide the best scientific evidence.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9631832 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.13568 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Psychological stress disturbs bone metabolism via miR-335-3p/Fos signaling in osteoclast.
Elife
January 2025
Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Department of Prosthodontics, Shanghai Tongji Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
It has been well validated that chronic psychological stress leads to bone loss, but the underlying mechanism remains unclarified. In this study, we established and analyzed the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice to investigate the miRNA-related pathogenic mechanism involved in psychological stress-induced osteoporosis. Our result found that these CUMS mice exhibited osteoporosis phenotype that is mainly attributed to the abnormal activities of osteoclasts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdvancements in Smart Wearable Mobility Aids for Visual Impairments: A Bibliometric Narrative Review.
Sensors (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Industrial Design, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Research into new solutions for wearable assistive devices for the visually impaired is an important area of assistive technology (AT). This plays a crucial role in improving the functionality and independence of the visually impaired, helping them to participate fully in their daily lives and in various community activities. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the literature published over the last decade on wearable assistive devices for the visually impaired, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) using CiteSpace, to provide an overview of the current state of research, trends, and hotspots in the field.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBarriers and Facilitators for the Use of Patient Lifts by Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon.
(1) Background: Patient lifts are evidence-based engineering controls used in Safe Patient Handling Programs to assist healthcare workers in moving patients. They have been shown to be beneficial for both healthcare workers and patients. However, these devices are not consistently used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Soft Robotic Sleeve for Physiotherapy: Improving Elbow Rehabilitation in Baseball Pitchers.
Physiother Res Int
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, Narowal Campus, Narowal, Pakistan.
Background And Purpose: Throwing a baseball involves intense exposure of the arm to high speeds and powerful forces, which contributes to an increasing prevalence of arm injuries among athletes. Traditional rigid exoskeletons and rehabilitation equipment frequently lack portability, safety, ergonomic design, and affordability. Traditional rehabilitation approaches frequently require therapist monitoring, resulting in therapy delays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoft Robotics in Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation and Assistance: Current Clinical Evidence and Recommendations.
Soft Robot
January 2025
Singapore-ETH Centre, Future Health Technologies Programme, Singapore, Singapore.
Article Synopsis
- Soft robotics is being explored for rehabilitation, offering potential benefits for individuals recovering upper limb motor function after injuries, with an emphasis on increased safety and comfort compared to traditional rigid robotics.
- The article reviews clinical evidence from 37 studies on 13 different soft upper limb devices used in both clinical and home environments, assessing their effectiveness and user experience.
- It aims to guide future developments in soft robotic rehabilitation by providing recommendations for design and application, highlighting the importance of understanding user needs and clinical outcomes.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!