What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to investigate gait and arm swing characteristics in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls.

January 10, 2026TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES0 citationsOpen Access

Comparison of spatiotemporal and arm swing characteristics of gait between patients with COPD and healthy controls

HYHidaye YamikanHacettepe University NÖNİHAT ÖZGÖREN SASERDAR ARITAN

Key Result

Patients with COPD exhibited a more abducted and symmetrical arm swing pattern compared to asymmetrical arm swings in healthy controls (p < 0.05).

Key Points

This study aims to investigate gait and arm swing characteristics in patients with COPD compared to healthy controls.
Cross-sectional design with 20 COPD patients aged 40–65 and 20 matched healthy controls.
Spatiotemporal gait characteristics and arm swing data collected using motion capture technology.
Participants walked for 6 minutes while data was recorded.
No significant differences in stride length, gait speed, and cadence between COPD patients and controls.
COPD patients exhibited a higher swing phase ratio, while healthy controls had higher stance phase ratios.
Similar magnitude of arm swings in both groups, but patients had more symmetrical and abducted swings.

Structured PICO

Do spatiotemporal gait characteristics and arm swing patterns differ between patients with COPD and healthy controls?

Population

40 participants: 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) aged 40–65 years, and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Comparator

Age- and sex-matched healthy controls

Outcome

Spatiotemporal gait characteristics and arm swing patterns recorded during a 6-minute walksurrogate

Patients with COPD exhibit a more abducted and symmetrical arm swing pattern compared to healthy controls, highlighting the potential need to address upper extremity movements in rehabilitation.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background/aim: Impairments in spatiotemporal gait characteristics have been observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, arm swing characteristics—a fundamental component of gait that play a key role in maintaining gait stability and energy efficiency—have been largely overlooked. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait, together with arm swing patterns, in patients with COPD. Materials and methods: A total of 20 patients with COPD (aged 40–65 years) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) participated in this cross-sectional study. Spatiotemporal gait characteristics and arm swing data were recorded using a motion capture system equipped with eight near-infrared cameras during a 6 min walk. Results: Stride and step length, step time and width, gait speed, and cadence were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). The swing phase ratio was higher in patients with COPD, whereas the gait cycle and stance phase ratios were higher in the HC (p 0.05). In patients with COPD, the right and left arm swings were similar across both the flexion–extension and abduction–adduction axes (p > 0.05), whereas significant right– left differences were observed in the HC group (p 0.05). Conclusion: Due to postural impairments and disease-related compensatory adaptations, a more abducted and symmetrical arm swing pattern was observed in patients with COPD. An asymmetrical arm swing pattern was observed in the HC group. These results highlight the importance of assessing and addressing upper extremity movements within rehabilitation programs to optimize gait efficiency and functional mobility.

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