Work

Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study of Patient Experience and Functional Burden

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Background Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating and poorly understood symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is associated with falls, mobility impairments, and diminished quality of life. Despite growing recognition of its clinical importance, little qualitative evidence is available to show how people with PD actually experience FOG or how FOG impacts daily life. We aimed to characterize FOG from the perspective of people with PD, including the perceived characteristics, triggers, and personal impacts of FOG. Methods Forty-one participants with PD and FOG were enrolled from participating research sites in Australia, Canada, Israel, and the USA. Each individual completed a 1 hour online interview, using symptom mapping to identify all personally bothersome symptoms of PD, with a deep focus on any FOG-related experiences. Symptom maps were content coded to quantify prevalence and bothersomeness of symptoms and related impacts, and transcribed narratives were inductively analyzed to identify common themes related to FOG across participants. Findings Over two-thirds (68%) rated FOG among their most bothersome symptoms and 37% identified it as their single most bothersome symptom. Three related themes emerged: (1) FOG experiences are highly heterogeneous, context-dependent, and difficult to separate from other PD symptoms; (2) FOG is a disruption in “natural motion” that imposes substantial physical and psychosocial burden due to the need for conscious effort and constant vigilance; (3) Participants intentionally adapt to manage FOG using behavioral, cognitive, and emotional coping strategies. Interpretation FOG is more than an episodic gait disturbance. For PwP, it is a pervasive disruption of automatic movement that substantially affects daily function and psychosocial wellbeing. Our findings highlight the need for focused education, patient-centered assessments, and interventions that can address not only episode frequency, but also the contextual, cognitive, and functional burdens associated with FOG. Funding : Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF-024177)

Source: Research Square

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-10112835/v1