Complex Gait & Singing in People with Parkinson's Disease 1865

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: ROOM: Astoria Room >>> DIRECTIONS: Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left toward the Williford and Waldorf Rooms. Astoria is located beyond the Waldorf along the south corridor.

Presenting Author(s)

Blythe N. Geiman (she/her/hers)

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, United States
AT

Autumn Tiedens (she/her/hers)

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, United States
BS

Blake Staton

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, United States

Slides Slides

Non-presenting Author(s)

Kylee Lovekin

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, United States

Presenting Author(s)

Brandon Brockshus, MS (he/him/his)

Graduate Assistant
Iowa State University
Ames, IA, United States

Non-presenting Author(s)

Elizabeth L. Stegemoller, PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa, United States

Research has shown that gait and balance impairment can significantly impact functional mobility in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Music, specifically singing, may be a noninvasive and therapeutic strategy to alleviate complications with gait. The task conditions in this study are to walk straight ahead and to walk in a serpentine pattern with and without singing. We are comparing healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and persons with PD to determine whether results are due to age or the disease progression.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to identify strategies for improving mobility and reducing fall risk in persons with Parkinson's Disease.
Upon completion, participants will be able to explain how external cueing can affect gait patterns in healthy young adults, healthy older adults, and persons with Parkinson's Disease.
Upon completion, participants will be able to compare the effects of singing on simple versus complex walking tasks in persons with Parkinson's Disease.