Original Article

Abstract
Background and Purpose
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia. While the relationship between cognitive impairment and gait dysfunction is well-documented in advanced PD, its role in early, drug-naïve PD remains unclear. This study investigates the influence of cognitive function on gait parameters in de novo PD patients.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 drug-naïve PD patients who underwent Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd Edition (K-MMSE-2) testing and three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis. Key gait variables—stride length, cadence, gait speed, stance phase, and step width—were assessed. Multiple linear regression adjusted for age and disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stage) was performed, and Spearman correlation was used to explore associations.

Results
Cognitive function, as measured by K-MMSE-2, significantly influenced stride length and stance phase after adjusting for confounders. Stride length showed a positive correlation with K-MMSE-2 scores, while stance phase demonstrated a negative correlation. No significant association was found between cognitive scores and balance measures.

Conclusions
Cognitive impairment independently affects gait parameters in early PD, underscoring its role in gait dysfunction. These findings highlight the potential benefits of integrating cognitive rehabilitation with physical therapy to improve overall motor symptoms including gait in PD patients. Further studies are warranted to explore cognitive interventions in PD management.