This book investigated how vision contributes to
gait impairment in Parkinson s disease (PD). This
was achieved by manipulating visual feedback in the
form of step cues, but also from a perceptual
standpoint by evaluating how visual perception might
contribute to gait impairment. Combining visual
feedback aids in perceptually demanding conditions
facilitated a greater understanding of the deficits
associated with gait in PD. Also, a number of
visual cues were examined to determine the viability
of these cues in improving the abnormal gait
patterns demonstrated by these individuals with PD,
including freezing of gait (FOG) and the less severe
shuffling step pattern. It was determined that
individuals with PD require conscious control of
their gait pattern in order to overcome the gait
deficits which are prevalent in PD. Also, it was
found that a certain degree of visuospatial ability
appears to be more greatly affected in those
individuals with PD who are subject to FOG. This
suggests an important perceptual difference between
the PD observed within those who experience FOG and
non-FOG individuals with PD.
gait impairment in Parkinson s disease (PD). This
was achieved by manipulating visual feedback in the
form of step cues, but also from a perceptual
standpoint by evaluating how visual perception might
contribute to gait impairment. Combining visual
feedback aids in perceptually demanding conditions
facilitated a greater understanding of the deficits
associated with gait in PD. Also, a number of
visual cues were examined to determine the viability
of these cues in improving the abnormal gait
patterns demonstrated by these individuals with PD,
including freezing of gait (FOG) and the less severe
shuffling step pattern. It was determined that
individuals with PD require conscious control of
their gait pattern in order to overcome the gait
deficits which are prevalent in PD. Also, it was
found that a certain degree of visuospatial ability
appears to be more greatly affected in those
individuals with PD who are subject to FOG. This
suggests an important perceptual difference between
the PD observed within those who experience FOG and
non-FOG individuals with PD.