Correlational Analysis Between Speech and Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is one of the most complicated and abundantneurodegenerative diseases in the world. Previous analysis of Parkinson’s disease has identified both speech and gait deficits throughout progression of the disease. There has been minimal research looking into the correlation between both the speech and gait deficits in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s. There is high indication that there is a correlation between the two given the similar pathology and origins of both deficits. This exploratory study aims to establish correlation between both the gait and speech deficits in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Using previously identified motor and speech measurements and tasks, I conducted a correlational study of individuals with Parkinson’s disease at baseline. There were correlations between multiple speech and gait variability outcomes. The expected correlations ranged from average harmonics-to-noise ratio values against anticipatory postural adjustments-lateral peak distance to average shimmer values against anticipatory postural adjustments-lateral peak distance. There were also unexpected outcomes that ranged from F2 variability against the average number of steps in a turn to intensity variability against step duration variability. I also analyzed the speech changes over 1 year as a secondary outcome of the study. Finally, I found that averages and variabilities increased over 1 year regarding speech primary outcomes. This study serves as a basis for further treatment that may be able to simultaneously treat both speech and gait deficits in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The exploratory study also indicates multiple targets for further investigation to better understand cohesive and compensatory mechanisms.