Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Walking patterns may differ nearly seven years before Parkinson’s diagnosis
Wrist recordings showed walking differences in people later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, in a study using data from the UK Biobank.
Researchers analyzed usable recordings from 73,413 people who wore sensors for a week and checked medical records for up to 10 years; 314 received a diagnosis.
The five differences included fewer daily steps, slower walking, shorter walking stretches, less regular steps and less natural arm swinging.
Some differences were detectable nearly seven years before diagnosis, although the step-count gap was largest among those diagnosed within 40 months.
Parkinson’s affects the brain systems that control movement, which can slow movements and stiffen muscles.
The findings describe group patterns, not an individual’s future, and other health conditions, pain or medication can also change how someone walks.
If confirmed in other groups, the recordings could help researchers identify people for trials of treatments aimed at slowing the disease early; further studies could track walking changes over time.
A study found that differences in walking patterns were detectable nearly seven years before some people received a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Researchers analyzed wrist-sensor recordings from 73,413 people in the UK Biobank and tracked medical records for up to 10 years.
The differences included fewer steps, slower walking, shorter walking bouts, less regular steps and less natural arm swinging.
The findings describe differences between groups and cannot predict whether an individual will develop Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers said the results could help identify people for trials of treatments intended to slow the disease in its early stages.
- Who
- Researchers analyzed data from UK Biobank participants; 314 were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
- What
- Wrist-sensor recordings showed differences in walking patterns nearly seven years before some diagnoses.
- When
- The recordings captured a week of movement; participants’ medical records were followed for up to 10 years.
- Where
- The data came from the UK Biobank. The research team was at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
- Why
- The study examined whether walking changes could appear before a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Participants wore wrist sensors for a week to record their movements.
Researchers followed participants’ medical records; 314 received a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Wrist recordings showed differences in arm movement among people later diagnosed.
ScienceAlert reported on the study.
Prevention reported on the study.
- Participants analyzed
- 73,413
- Later Parkinson’s diagnoses
- 314
- Monitoring period
- One week
- Medical-record follow-up
- Up to 10 years
- Steps per day within 40 months of diagnosis
- About 4,000, compared with about 6,400 among people without a recorded diagnosis
- Research journal
- Journal of Neural Transmission
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What people are saying
This is a really important paper, and an interesting finding
Our movement, including walking, is very complex and regulated by the brain.
I can pick out a Parkinson’s patient in a crowd