Article

Poor locomotion and balance in Parkinson's disease (PD) often
diminishes independence. Accordingly, gait is considered one of the most relevant
rehabilitation outcomes, and home-based balance exercises might be a viable mode
of exercise delivery for individuals with PD. However, research on PD
interventions rarely indicate best practices to deliver exercises. Therefore,
this study endeavoured to compare the efficacy of a home-based and
therapist-supervised balance programme on gait parameters, dynamic balance,
balance confidence and motivation in individuals diagnosed with PD. METHODS: An
experimental study design, including a cluster randomized convenience sample, of
40 participants with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III; age:
65.0+/-7.7years). Participants were divided into a therapist-supervised (n=24)
and home-based group (n=16). Groups received either eight weeks of balance
training with an exercise therapist or a DVD. Outcome measures include the
instrumented Timed-Up-and-Go, Functional Gait Analysis (FGA), Activity-specific
Balance confidence (ABC) scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). RESULTS:
Both groups improved in stride length (p<0.05). Similar FGA improved by 9% and
16% in the therapist-supervised and home-based group, respectively (p<0.01). Only
the therapist-supervised group showed improvements in ABC (p=0.051), stride
velocity (p=0.0006) and cadence (p=0.046) over the intervention; the latter two
were also better compared to home-based (p<0.05). Furthermore the
therapist-supervised group were more motivated (p=002). CONCLUSION: The
home-based balance programme was effective in improving some aspects of gait,
albeit the programme supervised by an exercise therapist included somewhat more
benefits after the intervention i.e. stride velocity and cadence in individuals
with mild to moderate PD.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS