Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel Infusion Therapy: Focus on Gait and Balance

BACKGROUND: Gait and balance disorders in advanced Parkinson's disease (aPD) heavily impact the disease burden. In this prospective observational open‐label study, our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion on balance and gait over a long‐term follow‐up. METHODS: The motor status of 15 aPD patients with balance and gait symptoms was assessed with UPDRS (I–IV) and H&Y at baseline in OFF and ON conditions, and after 52 weeks of LCIG infusion. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Gait & Balance Score (TS), Gait and Falls Questionnaire (G&F‐Q), FOG Questionnaire (FOG‐Q), and New FOG Questionnaire (NFOG‐Q) were used to specifically test balance and gait. RESULTS: UPDRS, H&Y, BBS, TS, G&F‐Q, FOG‐Q, NFOG‐Q improved significantly. All FOG types benefited from LCIG. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data show the beneficial effect of LCIG therapy not only on FOG, but also on gait and balance. Results need to be confirmed in larger cohort studies.