Comparison of Shod and Unshod Gait in Patients With Parkinson's Disease With Subthalamic and Nigral Stimulation

Background: The Parkinsonian [i.e., Parkinson's disease (PD)] gait disorder represents a therapeutical challenge with residual symptoms despite the use of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) and medical and rehabilitative strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different DBS modes as combined stimulation of the STN and substantia nigra (STN+SN DBS) and environmental rehabilitative factors as footwear on gait kinematics. Methods: This single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial assessed shod and unshod gait in patients with PD with medication in different DBS conditions (i.e., STIM OFF, STN DBS, and STN+SN DBS) during different gait tasks (i.e., normal gait, fast gait, and gait during dual task) and compared gait characteristics to healthy controls. Notably, 15 patients participated in the study, and 11 patients were analyzed after a dropout of four patients due to DBS-induced side effects. Results: Gait was modulated by both factors, namely, footwear and DBS mode, in patients with PD. Footwear impacted gait characteristics in patients with PD similarly to controls with longer step length, lower cadence, and shorter single-support time. Interestingly, DBS exerted specific effects depending on gait tasks with increased cognitive load. STN+SN DBS was the most efficient DBS mode compared to STIM OFF and STN DBS with intense effects as step length increment during dual task. Conclusion: The PD gait disorder is a multifactorial symptom, impacted by environmental factors as footwear and modulated by DBS. DBS effects on gait were specific depending on the gait task, with the most obvious effects with STN+SN DBS during gait with increased cognitive load.