Gait analysis in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Purpose: Anorexia (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are two common eating disorders, which appear to share some reduced motor capacities, such as a reduced balance. The presence and the extent of other motor disorders have not been investigated in a comprehensive way. The aim of this study was to quantify gait pattern in AN and BN individuals in order to ascertain possible differences from the normality range and provide novel data for developing some evidence-based rehabilitation strategies. Methods: Nineteen AN patients (age 30.16+9.73) and 20 BN patients (age 26.8+8.41) were assessed with quantitative 3D computerized Gait Analysis. Results were compared with a group of healthy controls (CG; 30.7+5.6). Results: AN and BN patients were characterized by different gait strategies compared to CG. Spatio-temporal parameters indicated shorter step length, with AN showing the shortest values. AN walked slower than BN and CG. As for kinematics, AN and BN showed a nonphysiologic pattern at pelvis and hip level on the sagittal and frontal plane, with BN yielding the most abnormal values. Both AN and BN patients were characterized by high ankle plantar flexion capacity at toe-off when compared to CG. As for ankle kinetics, both AN and BN showed physiologic patterns. Stiffness at hip level was close to CG in both pathologic groups; at the ankle level, stiffness was significantly decreased in both groups, with AN displaying lower values. Conclusions: Both AN and BN were characterized by an altered gait pattern compared to CG. Biomechanical differences were evident mainly at pelvis and hip level. Loss of lean mass may lead to musculoskeletal adaptation, ultimately causing alterations in the gait pattern

Quantitative evaluation of facial movement and morphology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to quantitatively analyze facial motion kinematics by means of an optoelectronic system. In particular, we defined a set of easily recognizable reference points for markerization, and tested the applicability of our markerization method for an exhaustive characterization of the subjects' facial motion through the definition of some kinematic parameters. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects (mean age, 24.6 +/- 1.0 years; 15 female and 15 male) participated in the study. A set of markers (diameter, 3 mm) was positioned on several reference points of the face, and some parameters were computed for the characterization of facial morphology and movement, such as ranges of motion, angles, times, and distances. RESULTS: The protocol was tested for inter-rater and intra-rater reliability by use of intraclass correlation, of which the results were good (between 0.4 and 0.75) to excellent (greater than 0.75). The parameters were useful for characterizing the resting position, mimicry, and speaking movements, and highlighted some distinctions between men and women in facial morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol can be applied to a variety of facial movements, including speaking. Future works could address the use of the protocol in subjects with disorders and the integrated analysis of kinematic parameters and voice spectrography

The relation between Parkinson's disease and ageing-Comparison of the gait patterns of young Parkinson's disease subjects with healthy elderly subjects

BACKGROUND: The gait of healthy elderly and of subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) displays some common features, suggesting that PD may be a model of ageing. AIM: The aim of the study was to quantify highlight the differences and similarities between the gait patterns of young PD and healthy elderly, to uncover if PD could be assumed as a model of ageing. DESIGN: An optoelectronic system was used for 3D gait analysis evaluation. POPULATION AND METHODS: We compared the gait parameters of 15 young PD (YPD) with the gait of 32 healthy elderly subjects (ES) and 21 healthy subjects age-matched with the PD subjects. RESULTS: Common features between YPD and ES were majorly found in the parameters that reflect the presence of an unstable, uncertain gait, and of corrective strategies employed to reduce instability. On the other side, typical features were present in the gait patterns of PD subjects. Conclusion. Our study helped identifying some typical characteristics of the onset disease, and to unravel the symptoms of ageing from those of PD by comparing young PD subjects to elderly healthy subjects. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This allows a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the gait in ageing and PD

The relation between Parkinson's disease and ageing-Comparison of the gait patterns of young Parkinson's disease subjects with healthy elderly subjects

BACKGROUND: The gait of healthy elderly and of subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) displays some common features, suggesting that PD may be a model of ageing. AIM: The aim of the study was to quantify highlight the differences and similarities between the gait patterns of young PD and healthy elderly, to uncover if PD could be assumed as a model of ageing. DESIGN: An optoelectronic system was used for 3D gait analysis evaluation. POPULATION AND METHODS: We compared the gait parameters of 15 young PD (YPD) with the gait of 32 healthy elderly subjects (ES) and 21 healthy subjects age-matched with the PD subjects. RESULTS: Common features between YPD and ES were majorly found in the parameters that reflect the presence of an unstable, uncertain gait, and of corrective strategies employed to reduce instability. On the other side, typical features were present in the gait patterns of PD subjects. Conclusion. Our study helped identifying some typical characteristics of the onset disease, and to unravel the symptoms of ageing from those of PD by comparing young PD subjects to elderly healthy subjects. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This allows a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the gait in ageing and PD