Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is decreased in parkinson's disease patients with freezing of gait and high l-dopa equivalent daily dose.

INTRODUCTION

The decrease in overall range of motion (ROM) of the joints in Parkinson's disease (PD) contributes to a functional decline. Ankle dorsiflexion required for activities such as walking, climbing, and descending stairs can be a clinically important outcome in this population as well as the presence of freezing of gait (FOG). However, there are no studies that consider this analysis in PD.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and to compare the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in PD patients classified into freezers and non-freezers as well as PD patients and healthy subjects.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study based on assessment protocols with qualitative and quantitative measures. Thirty-four individuals with PD were enrolled in this study. FOG questionnaire was adopted to classify patients into FOG and non-FOG (NFOG). Daily L-Dopa consumption was evaluated. MiniBESTest was used to assess balance. Ankle mobility for dorsiflexion was assessed by closed kinetic chain.

RESULTS

Individuals with FOG had lower dorsiflexion ROM compared to individuals with NFOG (FOG - right ROM: 5.99 ± 3.48 cm; left ROM: 5.96 ± 3.42 cm; NFOG - right ROM: 8.90 ± 4.23 cm; left ROM: 8.83 ± 4.12 cm).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with mild to moderate PD with FOG and high L-Dopa consumption had lower ankle dorsiflexion ROM compared to NFOG individuals.