Gabriele Imbalzano

Dr. Gabriele Imbalzano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 April 2024 in Bioengineering
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Alessandro ZampognaAlessandro Zampogna
Alessandro Zampogna
Luigi BorzìLuigi Borzì
Luigi Borzì
DRDomiziana Rinaldi
Domiziana Rinaldi
Carlo Alberto ArtusiCarlo Alberto Artusi
Carlo Alberto Artusi
GIGabriele Imbalzano
Gabriele Imbalzano
Antonio SuppaAntonio Suppa
Antonio Suppa
Background: Dyskinesias and freezing of gait are episodic disorders in Parkinson’s disease, characterized by a fluctuating and unpredictable nature. This cross-sectional study aims to objectively monitor Parkinsonian patients experiencing dyskinesias and/or freezing of gait during activities of daily living and assess possible changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters. Methods: Seventy-one patients with Parkinson’s disease (40 with dyskinesias and 33 with freezing of gait) were continuously monitored at home for a minimum of 5 days using a single wearable sensor. Dedicated machine-learning algorithms were used to categorize patients based on the occurrence of dyskinesias and freezing of gait. Additionally, specific spatiotemporal gait parameters were compared among patients with and without dyskinesias and/or freezing of gait. Results: The wearable sensor algorithms accurately classified patients with and without dyskinesias as well as those with and without freezing of gait based on the recorded dyskinesias and freezing of gait episodes. Standard spatiotemporal gait parameters did not differ significantly between patients with and without dyskinesias or freezing of gait. Both the time spent with dyskinesias and the number of freezing of gait episodes positively correlated with the disease severity and medication dosage. Conclusions: A single inertial wearable sensor shows promise in monitoring complex, episodic movement patterns, such as dyskinesias and freezing of gait, during daily activities. This approach may help implement targeted therapeutic and preventive strategies for Parkinson’s disease.