Gait analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

<bold>BACKGROUND:</bold> Gait abnormalities, which comprise lower and upper extremities and trunk movements, are frequently seen in patients with COPD, even in the early stages of the disease. <bold>OBJECTIVE:</bold> The study aimed to compare arm swings and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with COPD and healthy controls (HC). <bold>METHODS:</bold> Fifteen patients with COPD aged between 40- 65 years and fifteen aged-matched HC were participated. The severity of the disease was determined via lung function test, the CAT, and modified MRC Dyspnea Scale. The patients had mild (53.3%) and moderate (33.3%) level airflow obstruction. The Corbin Postural Assessment Scale, scapular dyskinesia assessment, and LSST were used to determine posture and related conditions. Gait analysis was performed via motion capture system during six-minute walk test. The total angle of arm swings (AS) (°) in flexion- extension (X axis) and in abduction and adduction (Z axis) were calculated within a stride and swing phases. <bold>RESULTS:</bold> Posture, scapular dyskinesis, stride length, walking speed, gait cycle, stance and swing phases were similar between the groups (p>0.05). In swing phase, the right AS was higher than left AS in X axis both COPD patients and HC (p<0.05). While left AS and right AS were different in HC, no differences were found in patients with COPD within a stride on both the X and Z axes (p<0.05). <bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> Although spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar between the groups, there was a different pattern, which was more abduction and symmetrical arm swing in patients with COPD compared to HC. While COPD patients exhibited a symmetric pattern, which may have changed due to adaptation, an asymmetrical pattern was observed in HC.