Characteristics associated with freezing of gait in actual daily living in Parkinson’s disease

Mitsuaki Ishii
 Kohei Okuyama

This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to freezing of gait (FOG). [Subjects and Methods] The participants included 28 adults with PD. Principal component analysis was used to investigate the characteristics of The major variables of the first principal component in 14 FOG situations were unfamiliar places
 unpredictable schedule changes
 entering an automatic door
 when another person suddenly crossed
 and change in the walking surface. These situations were unrelated to the second principal component. Getting on/off a public transport and crowded places were major variables for the second principal component
 and related to both the first and second principal components. Although fatigue was the most frequent FOG situation
 not all principal components were influenced. The values of the PD Questionnaire-39 revealed significant differences between the groups.

The Journal of Physical Therapy Science

29