To compare the characteristics of gait disorders between patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus(iNPH)and Parkinson's disease(PD)patients.

General clinical data and gait assessment results of 16 iNPH patients, 20 PD patients, and 23 healthy adults seeking treatment at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between January 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Gait analysis was conducted using the Mobility Lab™ system with APDM Opal sensors from the US.

The 16 patients in the iNPH group had a mean age of(68.81±8.73), the 20 patients in the PD group had a mean age of(65.05±10.15), and the 23 adults in the control group had a mean age of(59.96±6.20).There was no significant difference in age between the iNPH group and the PD group(P>0.05).However, the iNPH group was older than the healthy control group(t=3.71, P<0.05).The disease duration of the iNPH group was(22.94±23.19)months, which was shorter than(92.60±53.70)months in the PD group(t=5.23, P<0.05).The mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score(17.13±7.08)and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)score(11.75±5.43)of the iNPH group were significantly lower than those in the PD group[(24.17±4.73), t=3.45, P<0.05、(21.29±5.82), t=4.86, P<0.05]and the control group[(26.70±1.61), t=5.31, P<0.05、(22.78±3.30), t=7.89, P<0.05].Compared with the PD group, the iNPH group had a significantly lower foot clearance[right: (1.65±0.76)cm vs.(2.56±1.30)cm]and smaller bilateral toe-off angles[left: (20.59±6.11)° vs.(28.43±6.36)°; right: (20.78±6.88)° vs.(28.12±7.49)°, t=3.74、3.02, respectively, all P<0.05].There were statistically significant differences in all gait parameters in iNPH patients compared with the control group(P<0.05).

iNPH patients exhibit clear gait disturbance, which is more prominent than in PD patients.The wearable gait analysis system can accurately assess gait disorders in iNPH patients, and can be applied to gait assessment and the development of rehabilitation plans.

Hydrocephalus normal pressure; Parkinson disease; Gait analysis