Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of conventional gait training and partial
weight-supported treadmill gait training (PWSTT) in improving the balance of
patients with Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled
design. SETTING: National-level university tertiary hospital for mental health
and neurosciences.
PATIENTS: Sixty patients with PD fulfilling the United Kingdom
Brain Bank PD diagnostic criteria were recruited from the neurology outpatient
department and movement disorder clinic. METHODOLOGY: The patients were randomly
assigned into 3 equal groups: (1) a control group that only received a stable
dosage of dopaminomimetic drugs; (2) a conventional gait training (CGT) group
that received a stable dosage of dopaminomimetic drugs and conventional gait
training; and (3) a PWSTT group that received a stable dosage of dopaminomimetic
drugs and PWSTT with unloading of 20% of body weight. The sessions for the CGT
and PWSTT groups were provided for 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week, for 4
weeks (16 sessions).
OUTCOME MEASURES: The Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale
(UPDRS) motor score, dynamic posturography, Berg Balance Scale, and Tinetti
performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA) were used as main outcome
measures. RESULTS: A significant interaction effect was observed in the UPDRS
motor score, mediolateral index, Berg Balance Scale, limits of stability (LOS)
total score, POMA gait score, and balance score. Post-hoc analysis showed that in
comparison with the control group, the PWSTT group had a significantly better
UPDRS motor score, balance indices, LOS in 8 directions, POMA gait, and balance
score. The CGT group had a significantly better POMA gait score compared with
control subjects.
Compared with the CGT group, the PWSTT group had a
significantly better UPDRS motor score, mediolateral index, POMA gait score, and
LOS total score. CONCLUSION: PWSTT may be a better interventional choice than CGT
for gait and balance rehabilitation in patients with PD.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS