Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a two-week programme of repetitive
exercise with cueing and movement strategies upon freezing of gait in people with
Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: Randomized cross-over trial. SETTING: Specialist
clinic for Parkinson's disease. SUBJECTS: A total of 22 patients with Parkinson's
disease and freezing while other symptoms had favorably responded to dopaminergic
treatment. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized into a four-week cross-over
trial, and received either treatment (Group 1) or no treatment (Group 2) during
Period 1, and switched during Period 2. Treatment consisted of a two-week
programme during which the patients exercised cueing, and movement strategies
together with a physiotherapist. MAIN MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was a
freezing score assessed from blinded and random ratings of video recordings. The
secondary outcome measure was a patient-reported freezing questionnaire. Mean
differences between the treatment periods (treatment arms) were evaluated for
treatment (period) effects. Sums of treatment periods were evaluated for
carry-over effects. RESULTS: The programme led to a significant treatment effect
in the freezing score of 3.0 improvement (95% confidence interval 0.9-5.0; p <
0.01). No carry-over or period effects were detected. The questionnaire revealed
a period effect, so groups were compared after Period 1, where a significant
difference was found (15.0 vs. 11.7; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two-week
physiotherapy programme reduced the severity of freezing in patients with
Parkinson's disease.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS