Can a laser pointer help with gait freezing in Parkinsons’ disease

We often learn a lot from our patients. A Parkinsons’ disease patient in our clinic pulled out his laser pointer to initiate gait and improve balance for gait testing and I thought… this is an idea worth sharing. Several studies have shown that gait cueing with visual aides such as a checkered floor or taped markers can have a favorable affect on gait stride and stability in Parkinsons’ disease (PD). However, these strategies are limited to an environment within the patients control. A recent study examined the benefit of using a laser pointer to improve motor execution in patients with freezing gait. The study compared a matched sample of PD patients and healthy controls in initiating gait from standing with a laser pointer to guide steps. The laser pointer is used to mark a visual cue on the floor to assist with activation of gait and to improve stride length. The study showed that use of a laser pointer improved step length and balance over controls. The obvious advantages are ease of use and portability that allow Parkinsons’ disease patients more freedom. To learn more please read the original article: Laserlight visual cueing device for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: a case study of the biomechanics involved. Physiother Theory Pract. 2015 Oct;31(7):518-26. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2015.1037874.