Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2 different water-based exercise training
programs on functional mobility, motor symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) on
patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). DESIGN: Matched,
controlled, pilot study. SETTING: Outpatient Parkinson's disease center.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=21) with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage range, 1-3).
INTERVENTIONS: Participants were assigned to a low-intensity water exercise
program (group 1) or a muscular resistance water exercise intervention (group 2).
Group sessions were held for 12 weeks, twice a week for 60 minutes per session.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional mobility was measured by means of the Five
Times Sit-to-Stand Test, while the motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease
Rating Scale was used to assess motor impairment. Patients' QOL was rated by
means of the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Once the
intervention ended, the participants' QOL improved significantly, regardless of
the program undertaken (P=.02 for group 1; P=.005 for group 2). Only participants
in group 2 showed a significant change in functional mobility (P=.001) and
Parkinsonian motor symptoms (P=.012). CONCLUSIONS: Water-based exercise training
programs are a helpful therapy in PD. Muscular resistance programs of this kind
seem to be of value in improving functional mobility, motor symptoms, and QOL in
patients with PD. Some of the methodologic aspects detailed here can be used to
design larger controlled trials.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS