OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether systematically adjusting the rate of auditory cues induces corresponding modulations of the temporal and spatial parameters of gait of patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: Subjects performed a series of 15 9-metre walks along a level floor under uncued and four cued conditions; the order of cued conditions was randomized. SETTING: A physiotherapy gymnasium, Manchester, UK. SUBJECTS: Eleven subjects with early-stage idiopathic Parkinson's disease. INTERVENTIONS: Preferred pace was established from the initial three uncued walks. The rate of auditory cues delivered throughout subsequent walks was systematically adjusted for each subject, representing 85, 92.5, 107.5 and 115% of their mean cadence at preferred walking pace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean cadence, mean stride length and mean velocity. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the mean velocity and mean cadence of subjects' gait significantly (p <= 0.01) increased relative to baseline values at cue rates of 115 and 107.5% of cadence at preferred pace and decreased at cue rate of 85%. Mean stride length was unaffected by variations in cue rate. CONCLUSION: The rate of auditory cues, within the range tested, can modulate cadence and thus velocity of gait of subjects with early-stage Parkinson's disease. The provision of auditory cues provides a potential strategy for enhancing walking performance in these patients.

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