Altered kinematics, neuromuscular function and efficiency during TUG in Parkinson’s

People with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) experience substantial decline in neuromuscular functioning affecting mobility leading to an increased fall risk [1] and reduced quality of life [2]. The neuro-ergonomics of daily life tasks assessed in clinical studies, in particular the TUG, have not been comprehensively described by biomechanical and neuromuscular responses limiting our understanding of the mechanisms underlying mobility deterioration in this population. PwP are known to have increased cognitive demands during complex navigation and motor tasks, implying disease severity impeding prefrontal cortex activation, particularly within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [3,4]. Here we target regions of prefrontal cortical dysfunction and neuromuscular functioning for identification of neuropathophysiology. The aim of this study is to present a novel assessment of neuromuscular functioning in Parkinson’s by examining the interplay between whole body kinematics, the prefrontal cortex and leg muscle activity during gait compared to healthy older adults (Con).References1.Wood et al, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 72:721-725, 2002.2.Stewart et al, Mov Disord, 23:1466-1468, 2008.3.Assad et al, Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 101:20-26, 2022.4.Ranchet et al, Front Neurol, 11:601686, 2020.