New publication in JAMA!
Congratulations to Michael S. Okun, MD, A. Enrique Martinez-Nunez, MD, Nikolaus R. McFarland, MD, PhD, and Leonardo Almeida on the publication of “Regular Metronome, Fractal Metronome and Music for Parkinson Gait,” which was recently published in JAMA Network OPEN.
Abstract
Importance
Persons with Parkinson walk slowly, with short steps, reduced arm swing, and altered stride variability. Walking to a metronome or music may increase velocity, stride length, and cadence, yet few studies have directly compared the efficacy of these techniques.
Objective
To determine the optimal auditory cue to improve Parkinson gait.
Design, Setting and Participants
This case-control study was conducted among persons with Parkinson disease (using medication) and healthy older adult controls at University of Florida Applied Neuromechanics laboratory in 2017. Changes in gait in participants with Parkinson disease and controls were compared with walking with no cue: walking to a regular metronome, walking to a
fractal metronome, and walking to music. Condition order was randomized. Cueing frequency was set to natural cadence. Post hoc analyses restricted to participants with Parkinson disease were performed in 2026.
Conclusions and Relevance
In this case-control study, walking to the fractal metronome was associated with improved stride time fluctuations compared with the regular metronome or music. Walking to music was associated with improved velocity, stride length, and arm swing velocity compared with either metronome condition.