Parkinson’s disease is defined as a progressive neurological condition. These results due to dopamine deficiency as basal ganglia dysfunction occurs. The dysfunction of basal ganglia directly interferes with voluntary movements, sequential processes and complex motor skills are difficult to perform. Therefore, it is common for gait deformities to occur. Coordination requires a complex interaction between biomechanics and neurophysiological factors.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of substantia nigra which leads to dysfunction of basal ganglia. The cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease are characterised by motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors and akinesia. There are various levels at which the effects of Parkinson disease can be described. Within the brain, the major pathological change is progressive degeneration of neurons in pars compacta of substantia nigra which is one of the nuclei that constitutes the basal ganglia. These neurons usually transmit dopamine to the striatum, which is another basal ganglia nucleus. But their degeneration leads to dysfunction of these neuronal circuits which include the basal ganglia and thee motor cortical areas. Abnormalities of movements such as movement slowness, difficulty with gait and balance are also the primary manifestation of Parkinson’s disease. Anomaly of muscle activity and the neuronal activity correlate with the motor symptoms. In other terms motor symptoms can also be described in context of motor control that explains how movement variables, such as limbs position and speed, are coordinated and controlled. To understand motor symptoms as motor control abnormalities defines how the disease disrupts normal control processes. For e.g., in Parkinson disease the slowness of movement, would be explained as disruption of a control processes that determine the normal movement speed.

Gait hypokinesia is one of the major symptoms of Parkinson disease that can be seen from the early stages of the disease. Even if the patients have not begun with anti-parkinsonian medicine course yet, may tend to have a slower gait speed as compared to healthy individuals. Most patients with Hoehn and Yahr scale stage of 2-3 require assistance for walking. Recently gait has been accepted as an executive function rather than just a simple motor function that can be affected by cognitive impairments. It is stated the gait speed is negatively correlated. Gait speed is also correlated with cognitive state and the deceleration of gait speed can even occur before a cognitive disorder starts.

As gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease are hallmark of the condition they have led to loss of independence and an increased risk of falls. The essential component of daily activities is walking which is a dynamic, rhythmic and complex task. This involves the central nervous system (CNS) to adopt high levels of information processing and control strategies to accurately coordinate gait cycles.

No study has been conducted to evaluate the relationship between lower limb coordination with walking speed and distance in people with Parkinson’s disease. Hence the purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between coordination of lower limbs with walking speed and distance.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there a correlation between lower limb coordination and walking speed and distance in people with Parkinson’s disease?

HYPOTHESIS (H1): There is a correlation between lower limb coordination and walking speed and distance in people with Parkinson’s disease.

NULL HYPOTHESIS (H0):

There is no correlation between lower limb coordination and walking speed and distance in people with Parkinson’s disease