Understanding Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s: Why It Happens and What Can Help

Freezing of Gait (FoG) is a frustrating and often frightening symptom of Parkinson’s. It can feel like your feet are suddenly stuck to the floor — especially when turning, walking through doorways, or navigating busy or tight spaces. This momentary “freeze” interrupts your ability to walk smoothly and can increase your risk of falling.

At Advance Rehab Centre, we know how much FoG can affect your confidence and independence. In this blog, we’ll help you understand why freezing happens, how it’s assessed, and what treatment options and tools are available to help you manage it better.

Why Does Freezing of Gait Happen?

Freezing is not just a movement issue — it also involves your brain’s ability to process attention, planning, and sensory input. In Parkinson’s, the part of the brain that helps with automatic movements (the basal ganglia) doesn’t work as well, especially when there’s less dopamine.

This makes it harder to start or keep walking, especially in situations where your brain is busy focusing on something else — like walking and talking at the same time, or turning quickly. This is why freezing tends to happen more when you’re distracted or under stress.

Cognitive challenges — like trouble switching attention or planning movements — can also make freezing worse. That’s why it’s important to look at both your movement and your thinking skills when managing FoG.

How Do We Assess Freezing of Gait?

To help you manage FoG well, we first need to understand your specific triggers and challenges. At Advance Rehab Centre, we take a full team approach, combining physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and exercise physiology to get the full picture.

Here’s how we assess FoG:

  • Observing how you walk in different settings – such as turning in tight spaces, walking through doorways, or across different surfaces.
  • Video analysis – turning in both directions (180°, 360°, 540°) to spot any freezing patterns.
  • Asking about your experience – questionnaires help us understand how freezing shows up in your daily life.
  • Cognitive and multitasking tests – we might ask you to walk while talking or doing a simple task. This can help identify if mental distractions make freezing worse.
  • Anxiety screening – since stress and worry can also increase freezing, we may look at how you’re feeling emotionally.

All of this helps us create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs — not just based on what we see in the clinic, but how FoG affects your real life.

What Can Help with Freezing of Gait?

There are many tools and strategies that can make a real difference in managing FoG. Here are some of the most helpful:

  • Cognitive Strategies
    Learning strategies early can help you cope better. Some people benefit from reminders, calendars, or apps to help with planning and focus.

  • Treadmill Walking
    Treadmills provide a consistent pace and visual cueing, which can help improve walking rhythm. Exercises like “big steps” or side-stepping can be built into your program.

  • Dual-Task and Obstacle Training
    Practicing walking while doing another task (like carrying something or answering questions) helps train your brain and body to work together more smoothly — especially in busy real-life environments.

  • Visual and Auditory Cues
    Devices that provide prompts (like a laser light or a metronome) can help trigger movement. Options include:

    • Pathfinder – a shoe-mounted laser
    • U-Step Walker – a walker with built-in cues
    • Laser Cane – a walking stick with a laser
    • CUE1 Device – wearable vibration cueing

  • Apps and Games
    Apps like “Clock Yourself” combine movement with thinking tasks, helping improve both mobility and brain flexibility. It’s fun and practical!

  • Balance and Fall Prevention
    We include balance training in every FoG program. Improving balance and building reactive stepping skills can reduce the risk of falls and increase your confidence.

What’s Next?

If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson’s and experiencing FoG, talk to our team. We’ll assess your unique situation and work with you to build a plan that supports your safety, mobility, and independence — in the clinic and at home.