Freezing of gait in PD

[Ianfrizell]

Hi all

This is a link to my vlog about freezing of gait in Parkinson’s.

youtu.be/7A-ErdLd-CE(Not working as expected?)

Cheers,

Ian

[marilw]

Thank you

[FMundo]

Ian,

This VLOG is most informative. While I haven't had a problem with Freezing, I do have a friend who does struggle with the problem and you are right on in terms of describing it as a very serious symptom of PD. I've posted a number (16) articles on freezing in PARKINSON'S ONLINE and will now add your video.

It has occurred to me having read the articles and watching your video that the "reason" behind the fact that these "cues" (laser lines, metronome audio, vibrating canes, visualizing "stepping over something") all help in breaking out of a freeze is that one's mind sends an alternate kind of message to one's leg muscles than the old "move leg forward for a step" . . . and that this "altered message" gets through. The message becomes "put foot on that line on the floor", "move foot in time with the beat", "move that foot OVER that object on the floor."

If my reasoning is correct, I wonder if someone who had the freezing problem (and did not have one of these cuing devices at hand)... were simply to "imagine" the cue or obstacle were present.... that that would work in breaking out of a freeze.

Anyone else have thoughts (or experience) to add ?

[Ianfrizell in reply to FMundo]

Hi Frank. Thanks for your comment. I think that's exactly what my mum was doing when she "mentally rehearsed" moving before trying to initiate movement...