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.
Keywords: FOG; Parkinson's disease; axial symptoms; freezing of gait; levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion.