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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Dec;28(6):1169-1177.
doi: 10.1007/s40520-015-0506-1. Epub 2015 Dec 10.

The effect of the rehabilitation program on balance, gait, physical performance and trunk rotation in Parkinson's disease

Joanna Stożek  1 , Monika Rudzińska  2 , Urszula Pustułka-Piwnik  3 , Andrzej Szczudlik  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The effect of the rehabilitation program on balance, gait, physical performance and trunk rotation in Parkinson's disease

Joanna Stożek et al. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease which leads to postural and gait disorders, limitation in mobility, activities of daily living and disability.

Aims: The aim of the study is to assess the effects of the rehabilitation program on balance, gait, motor performance and trunk rotations in PD patients.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with 1.5-3.0 stage PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale were randomly allocated to rehabilitation and control groups. Sixty-one patients completed the study. Patients were assessed three times, at month intervals. Between the first and second assessments, the rehabilitation group participated in a rehabilitation training program focused on mobility, balance and gait exercises, consisting of 28 sessions. Balance was assessed with tandem stance and the Pastor test (shoulder tug). Gait was assessed with a 10 m walk at preferred speed and 360° turn. Motor performance was evaluated by means of the Physical Performance Test (PPT) and timed motor activities. The trunk rotations were measured in the lumbar and thoraco-lumbar spine with a tape measure.

Results: The rehabilitation group significantly improved (p < 0.05) in balance and gait outcomes, PPT score, timed activities and trunk rotations both in comparison to the control group and baseline results. The positive effects of the exercise program maintained for at least 1 month.

Conclusion: The 4-week rehabilitation training program focused on mobility, balance and gait exercises improved balance, gait, physical performance and trunk rotations in patients with PD.

Keywords: Motor functions; Parkinson’s disease; Physical performance; Rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical approval All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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