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Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion People living with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience heat sensitivity—worsening symptoms and restricted daily activities in heat.This study aimed to develop a scale of heat sensitivity for people with PD.Through a search of the scientific literature and online forums, we developed 41 items relating to experiences of heat for people with PD to assess heat sensitivity. A panel of experts was then consulted to review the scale items critically. After two rounds of review, the scale was refined to 36 items with an overall scale content validity index of 0.89. Via an online survey, 247 people with PD responded to the items.The items were examined with exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factors therein. After several iterations, a simple structure was achieved with 29 items loading uniquely onto one of four factors: daily activities, sweating and exercise, heat‐related illness, and symptoms and medications. The model had acceptable to excellent fit statistics (root mean square error of approximation = 0.073 [90% confidence interval 0.067–0.081], root mean square of the residuals = 0.03, comparative fit index = 0.93, and Tucker‐Lewis index = 0.91), and each factor showed high reliability (Cronbach's α ≥0.89). Factor and total scale scores were significantly higher among those reporting sensitivity to heat and poor health status.This new heat sensitivity scale for people living with PD can enable health professionals and clients to assess the severity and impact of heat sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Assessing lower limb strength, balance, and fall risk are crucial components of rehabilitation, especially for the older adult population. With the growing interest in telehealth, teleassessment has been investigated as an alternative when in‐person assessments are not possible. The Five Times Sit‐to‐Stand test (5TSTS) provides a quick measure of balance during chair transfers, muscle power, endurance, and the hability to change and maintain body position, and is highly recommended by guidelines. However, the literature is unclear about the viability and safety of teleassessment using the 5TSTS in older adults with and without Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of teleassessment using the 5TSTS and to determine its feasibility and safety for older adults with and without PD. Methods: This cross‐sectional study included older adults with and without PD who were evaluated remotely through a videoconference platform. To ensure effective and comprehensive instructions for the test, we developed a guideline called OMPEPE (an acronym for: Objective; Materials; Position‐Start; Execution; Position‐End; Environment). We assessed the 5TSTS intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability by comparing scores obtained from the same examiner and from different examiners, respectively. Participants and examiners completed online surveys to provide information about feasibility and safety. Results: Twelve older adults with PD and 17 older adults without PD were included in this study (mean ages 69.0 and 67.6 years, respectively). Based on the participants' perspectives and the absence of adverse effects, teleassessment using the 5TSTS is feasible and safe for older adults with and without PD. Excellent intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.90) was found for all measurements of the 5TSTS. Discussion: This study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and reliability of teleassessment using the 5TSTS. The guidelines developed may help health professionals minimize barriers and safely conduct an online assessment that includes a physical test such as the 5TSTS in older adults with or without PD. In addition to addressing technological barriers, the OMPEPE guideline might ensure the optimal execution of evaluations. Conclusion: Teleassessment using the 5TSTS for older adults with and without PD is feasible and safe. Both synchronous (i.e., live) and asynchronous (i.e., recorded) online 5TSTS tests demonstrate excellent intra‐ and inter‐rate reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and freezing of gait (FOG) present peripheral and central sensitivity disturbances that impair motor performance. This study aimed to investigate long‐term effects of plantar sensory stimulation on brain activity, brain connectivity, and gait velocity of individuals with PD and FOG. Methods: Twenty‐five participants were enrolled in this clinical trial (NCT02594540). Plantar sensory stimulation was delivered using the Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation therapy (AMPS). Volunteers were randomly assigned to real or placebo AMPS groups and received eight sessions of treatment. The primary outcome was brain activity (task‐based fMRI—active ankle dorsi‐plantar flexion). Secondary outcomes were brain connectivity (resting state—RS fMRI) and gait velocity. fMRI was investigated on the left, right, and mid‐sensory motor regions, left and right basal ganglia. Results: No changes in brain activity were observed when task‐based fMRI was analyzed. After real AMPS, RS functional connectivity between basal ganglia and sensory‐related brain areas increased (insular and somatosensory cortices). Gait velocity also increased after real AMPS. A positive correlation was found between gait velocity and the increased connectivity between sensory, motor and supplementary motor cortices. Conclusion: Plantar sensory stimulation through AMPS was not able to modify brain activity. AMPS increased the RS brain connectivity mainly in areas related to sensory processing and sensorimotor integration. Plantar stimulation could be a way to improve plantar sensitivity and consequently ameliorate gait performance. However, the mechanisms behind the way AMPS influences brain pathways are still not completely known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gait and postural control deficiencies in Parkinson's disease (PD) involve several specific motor aspects. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the main changes in gait kinematics and postural control with dopaminergic loss in the striatum region. This is a cross‐sectional study that included 42 individuals with PD at different motor stages, according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale (H&Y). Motor subsection of the Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale—part III (MDS‐UPDRS III) was used to evaluate general motor aspects. Gait kinematics was assessed using a three‐dimensional motion capture system. Postural control was assessed by stabilometry using force platforms. Dopamine depletion was verified through 99mTc‐TRODAT‐1 (SPECT‐CT) examination. We included 12, 15 and 15 individuals classified as H&Y I, II and III, respectively. We identified worse values of dopamine transporter uptake, MDS‐UPDRS III, gait parameters (velocity, step length and stride length) and center of pressure displacement as the disease progressed. Our results indicate that higher dopaminergic loss and gait and postural control deficits occur between the H&Y levels II and III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter involved in regulating movement. Nuclear medicine imaging methods such as single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) combined with radiotracers can obtain the density of this neurotransmitter. This reduced density leads to classic PD symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor and stiffness, consequently affecting walking and postural control. The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between disorders of gait kinematics and postural instability with dopamine depletion in individuals with mild to moderate PD. This is a descriptive, observational cross‐sectional study. Subjects were assessed for spatiotemporal gait parameters by a three‐dimensional motion capture system, for postural control by stabilometry on a force plate. Dopamine depletion was verified through 99mTc‐TRODAT‐1 (SPECT‐CT) examination. The subjects were in the off‐stage of levodopa in all analysis. We evaluated 71 individuals, 32 with mild to moderate PD (HY 2 and 2.5) and 39 healthy individuals matched for gender, age, and height. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding the spatiotemporal variables of gait, as well as in the stabilometric variables. However, there was no correlation between these disturbances and the uptake values of 99mTc‐TRODAT‐1. The results indicate that there is no correlation between gait impairments and postural instability of individuals with mild to moderate PD and the dopaminergic depletion measured through the 99mTc‐TRODAT‐1 (SPECT‐CT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]