Examining the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

Freezing of gait is a complex and debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease where the
feet feel “glued” to the floor. Recent research suggests that the body’s “fight or flight”
system (part of the autonomic nervous system) plays a major role in freezing, particularly
when a person feels anxious. However, it remains unclear if specific heart rhythm patterns
(known as Heart Rate Variability) can predict whether someone is more susceptible to
freeze, or if these patterns are simply a reaction to stress.

This study aims to disentangle the relationship between heart function, anxiety, and
medication to see if resting heart rhythms can serve as a reliable marker for freezing
vulnerability in a single visit that will take ~4 hours to complete in lab. Sufficient breaks
will be included.

You will be asked to perform the experimental tasks twice during this visit: first in your
‘OFF’ medication state (after >12 hours without dopaminergic medication). Then again
after taking your regular Parkinson’s medication, or ‘ON’ state. During each state, you will
sit and stand quietly while we record your heart activity. You will then complete two types
of movement assessments: a standard clinical walking test involving turning, dual-tasking
and walking through doorways, and a Virtual Reality (VR) task where you will walk across
a virtual plank at different heights. Before and throughout the session, you will also
complete questionnaires regarding your Parkinson’s symptoms, anxiety levels, and
general health

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON