Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Kushnick, Michael

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders

Abstract

The overarching aim of this dissertation was to investigate the acute effects of gum chewing on functional measures of gait and balance and their associations to pupillometry in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP). A total of 27 PwP and 27 age-matched controls underwent three trials (baseline and then a randomized no gum and gum trial) to assess gait and balance and their relationship with pupillometry and, on a second day, ten of the PwP and ten controls returned within 7-14 days for repeat testing to investigate the test-retest reliability of pupillometry alongside gait and balance measures. Results: Significant improvements in Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) performance were found with gum chewing trials in PwP. Additionally, significantly slower maximal constriction velocity in pupillary measures was found and a negative correlation between average pupil dilation velocity and the Timed UP and Go Test (TUG) was found in PwP. Test-retest reliability for most pupillometry measures were .73 or greater in PwP and .70 or greater in the control group. The 10-MWT, FGA, Mini-BESTest and TUG had test-retest reliability of .71 or greater in PwP. Conclusions: Gum chewing had a positive acute effect on dynamic gait performance in PwP and should be considered as an adjunct treatment, while the presence of altered pupillometry measures and the negative correlation found with the TUG provides further support of pupillometry as a reliable tool in the comprehensive assessment of PwP.

Extent

132 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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