Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: Balance, Gait, and Neurophysiological Aspects

Freezing of gait (FoG) is quite prevalent in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It can be classified according to its behavioral manifestation associated with the movement of the legs with short and fast steps, alternating leg tremors, and akinetic. FoG is characterized by an abrupt and unforeseen cessation of movement, leading to an impaired capacity to regain balance and subsequently increasing the risk of falling. The occurrence of FoG is a prevalent cause of falls among individuals with PD. Finding disparities in postural control between people with PD who have FOG and those who do not freeze can help us understand why people are more likely to fall in freezers and how training programs could be tailored to address these impairments. We aimed to assess further the biomechanical aspects of balance, gait, and the neurophysiological mechanisms of FoG.