OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of intensive treadmill training on gait rhythmicity, functional mobility, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). DESIGN: An open-label, before-after pilot study. SETTING: Outpatient movement disorders clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with PD who were able to ambulate independently and were not demented. Mean age was 70+/-6.8 years. Patients had mild to moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage range, 1.5-3). INTERVENTIONS: Patients walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes during each training session, 4 training sessions a week, for 6 weeks. Once a week, usual overground walking speed was re-evaluated and the treadmill speed was adjusted accordingly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), gait speed, stride time variability, swing time variability, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). RESULTS: A comparison of the measures taken before and after the treadmill intervention indicates general improvement. QOL, as measured by the PDQ-39, was reduced (improved) from 32 to 22 (P<.014). Parkinsonian symptoms, as measured by the UPDRS, decreased (improved) from 29 to 22 (P<.043). Usual gait speed increased from 1.11 to 1.26 m/s (P<.014). Swing time variability was lower (better) in all but one patient, changing from 3.0% to 2.3% (P<.06). Scores on the SPPB also improved (P<.008). Interestingly, many of the improvements persisted even 4 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the potential to enhance gait rhythmicity in patients with PD and suggest that a progressive and intensive treadmill training program can be used to minimize impairments in gait, reduce fall risk, and increase QOL in these patients.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of intensive treadmill training on gait rhythmicity, functional mobility, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). DESIGN: An open-label, before-after pilot study. SETTING:Outpatientmovement disorders clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with PD who were able to ambulate independently and were not demented. Mean age was 70+/-6.8 years. Patients had mild to moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage range, 1.5-3). INTERVENTIONS:Patients walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes during each training session, 4 training sessions a week, for 6 weeks. Once a week, usual overground walking speed was re-evaluated and the treadmill speed was adjusted accordingly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), gait speed, stride time variability, swing time variability, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). RESULTS: A comparison of the measures taken before and after the treadmill intervention indicates general improvement. QOL, as measured by the PDQ-39, was reduced (improved) from 32 to 22 (P<.014). Parkinsonian symptoms, as measured by the UPDRS, decreased (improved) from 29 to 22 (P<.043). Usual gait speed increased from 1.11 to 1.26 m/s (P<.014). Swing time variability was lower (better) in all but one patient, changing from 3.0% to 2.3% (P<.06). Scores on the SPPB also improved (P<.008). Interestingly, many of the improvements persisted even 4 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the potential to enhance gait rhythmicity in patients with PD and suggest that a progressive and intensive treadmill training program can be used to minimize impairments in gait, reduce fall risk, and increase QOL in these patients.
Authors: Beth E Fisher; Allan D Wu; George J Salem; Jooeun Song; Chien-Ho Janice Lin; Jeanine Yip; Steven Cen; James Gordon; Michael Jakowec; Giselle Petzinger Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2008-06-13 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Giselle M Petzinger; Beth E Fisher; Sarah McEwen; Jeff A Beeler; John P Walsh; Michael W Jakowec Journal: Lancet Neurol Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 44.182
Authors: Shinichi Amano; Joe R Nocera; Srikant Vallabhajosula; Jorge L Juncos; Robert J Gregor; Dwight E Waddell; Steven L Wolf; Chris J Hass Journal: Parkinsonism Relat Disord Date: 2013-07-05 Impact factor: 4.891
Authors: Giselle M Petzinger; Beth E Fisher; Garnik Akopian; Daniel P Holschneider; Ruth Wood; John P Walsh; Brett Lund; Charles Meshul; Marta Vuckovic; Michael W Jakowec Journal: Neurodegener Dis Manag Date: 2011-04-01