Motor disturbances in normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Special reference to stance and gait
P. Soelberg Sorensen, E. C. Jansen and F. Gjerris
Motor disturbances in 16 patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus were
assessed by quantitative registration of handwriting, fine movements of the
hand, hand tremor, postural instability, and gait. Tremor intensity was
measured using an accelerometer and electronic integration of the
accelerometer curves. Postural instability was measured on a
computer-assisted force-plate, and computerized analysis of gait was made
using an instrumented treadmill. Severe disturbances in motor performance
in the upper extremities and postural stability were found. The gait of the
hydrocephalic patients was characterized by a very low speed, short steps,
ataxia (especially in the vertical direction), and high energy consumption.
After shunt operation, significant improvement was found in motor
performance in the upper extremities and postural stability, and gait
ataxia decreased in all patients to values within the 95% confidence
interval of age-matched controls.
