PD-PIGD patients usually show reduced gait speed and postural stability performing attention-demanding tasks such as turning and dual-task. Difficulty performing dual-task is probably due to the automaticity loss and the consequent cognitive overload. Turning represents a challenge as it requests an increased cognitive load in order to modify the locomotor pattern and to increase interlimb coordination.

Fourteen PD-PIGD patients were included and randomized into two groups: “AO group” and “Control group”. Both groups performed a baseline evaluation including Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and TUG with cognitive dual-task (TUG-COG), which consisted in TUG while counting backwards by threes starting from 100 or 82. After the baseline acquisition, the AO group was asked to watch a video representing a high-quality TUG performance while the Control group observed images of static landscapes. After the video observation, both groups performed again TUG and TUG-COG. Spatio-temporal gait parameters were acquired using a six cameras SMART-DX7000 optoelectronic system.

After video observation, the AO group showed a significant improvement in execution time both in TUG and TUG-COG and in turning stride length during TUG, while Control group did not show significant changes. AO group also showed a trend toward an increased mean turning velocity during TUG-COG.