Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Nov 7;9(1):16255.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52448-3.

Quantitative Gait Analysis and Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap Test for Idiopathic Normal-pressure Hydrocephalus

Yong-Hyun Lim  1 , Pan-Woo Ko  2 , Ki-Su Park  3 , Sung Kyoo Hwang  3 , Sung-Hee Kim  2 , Jaehwan Han  4 , Uicheul Yoon  5 , Ho-Won Lee  6 , Kyunghun Kang  7
Affiliations

Quantitative Gait Analysis and Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap Test for Idiopathic Normal-pressure Hydrocephalus

Yong-Hyun Lim et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

We investigated gait performance utilizing a quantitative gait analysis for 2 groups: (1) idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) patients who had a positive response to the cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSFTT) and (2) healthy controls. The aims of the study were (1) to analyze the characteristics of gait features, (2) to characterize changes in gait parameters before and after the CSFTT, and (3) to determine whether there was any relationship between stride time and stride length variability and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) scores in INPH patients. Twenty-three INPH patients and 17 healthy controls were included in this study. Compared with healthy controls, the gait of INPH patients was characterized by lower velocity, shorter stride length, and more broad-based gait. Patients with INPH had a longer stance phase with increased double-limb support. Variability in stride time and stride length was increased in INPH patients. Stride time and stride length variability were correlated with FAB score. After the CSFTT, gait velocity, stride length, and step width significantly improved. There were significant decreases in stride time and stride length variability. These results suggest that the CSFTT for INPH patients might improve the so-called balance-related gait parameter (ie, step width) as well. Stride time and stride length variability also responded to the CSFTT. Association between FAB scores and both stride time and stride length variability suggests involvement of similar circuits producing gait variability and frontal lobe functions in INPH patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Differences in CV values of stride time and stride length before and after the CSFTT for INPH patients. The mean CV values for each individual before and after the CSFTT are depicted. Filled circles show means and standard deviations.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scatterplots illustrating the relationships between stride time and stride length variability and FAB scores at baseline for INPH patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Cabral D, et al. Frequency of Alzheimer’s disease pathology at autopsy in patients with clinical normal pressure hydrocephalus. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7:509–513. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.12.008. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kim MJ, et al. Differential diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus from other dementias using diffusion tensor imaging. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology. 2011;32:1496–1503. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A2531. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Adams RD, Fisher CM, Hakim S, Ojemann RG, Sweet WH. Symptomatic occult hydrocephalus with “normal” cerebrospinal-fluid pressure: a treatable syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1965;273:117–126. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196507152730301. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Owler BK, et al. Normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral blood flow: a PET study of baseline values. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2004;24:17–23. doi: 10.1097/01.WCB.0000093326.88757.49. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wikkelsø C, Andersson H, Blomstrand C, Lindqvist G. The clinical effect of lumbar puncture in normal pressure hydrocephalus. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1982;45:64–69. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.45.1.64. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types