How to Deal with Freezing in Parkinson’s Disease
Freezing / freezing – in Parkinson’s disease. What is it and how to deal with it?
In the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease, special conditions may occur – freezing ( freezing).
Freezing (or in English, “freezing”) is a gait disorder where there is a sudden sensation that the feet are glued to the ground for a few seconds.
The most common situations in which freezing is observed:
- the first step at the very beginning of walking (problems with gait initiation)
- when passing through a doorway (and other narrow spaces)
- when turning or changing direction of movement
- when distracted, for example, when talking to an interlocutor
- in a crowded place
- when anxious or stressed
In most cases, freezing depends on the effectiveness of antiparkinsonian drugs and occurs during the “off” period at the end of the effect of the current dose. This type of freezing can be significantly reduced by adjusting medication therapy. If the “off” time is reduced, freezing will decrease accordingly.
Tips for Sudden Freezing in Parkinson’s Disease:
1) don’t panic and don’t rush, restore balance, straighten your back
2) look around, choose a quieter and less busy route (if it happened on the street), plan the road with stops
3) continue moving without distraction and controlling your step
You can use special life hacks – techniques that help you focus on each step and avoid distractions:
Visual cues – transverse lines or stripes on the floor, cobblestones or cracks in the asphalt; careful guidance by a companion
Auditory cues – counting out loud or to oneself (“one-two, one-two”), trigger word cue (“forward,” “march”), rhythmic music.
Weight shift method – transfer weight from one leg to the other, slight half-squat, start step with the heel
Tactile signals – touch of the companion to the patient’s hand or back
You need to try all options—some may help one person while being useless to another. You can learn and practice this, including during a visit to your Parkinson’s specialist.
