Immediate effects and perceptions of cane use in individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Introduction: Assistive devices are commonly prescribed for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD), but a lack of evidence and information on individuals' perceptions limits their prescription in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects and perceptions of cane use in individuals with PD. Methods: An ongoing clinical trial (CAAE: 75158123.2.0000.5149) included individuals with PD, ≥40 years, on stable antiparkinsonian medication, able to walk independently and use a cane. Participants were given a cane and instructed on its use. They were assessed using the 10-meter walk test (speed, cadence, step length) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test under randomized conditions (with and without cane) and asked about perceived changes, necessity, and satisfaction with the device (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology). Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon, and paired t-tests were used (α=5%). Results: A total of 15 individuals were included. Statistically significant differences were found for cadence (without: 1.85±0.23 steps/second; with: 1.61±0.68 steps/second; p=0.02) and TUG (without: 9.73±1.87 seconds; with: 11.42±1.65 seconds; p≤0.001). Most participants reported no perceived difference in fear of falling (60%) or gait performance (53%) with the cane. The perceived need for a cane increased from 20% before the study to 47% afterward. 'Effectiveness' was the item with the lowest satisfaction. Conclusion: The immediate use worsened mobility. Although the perception of need has increased among individuals, the majority reported not perceiving changes with the use of the device. Future studies should consider the effect of device training on these outcomes.