Repetitive step training with preparatory signals improves stability limits in patients with Parkinson's disease

Xia Shen, Kit Yi Mak

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of repetitive volitional and compensatory step training with preparatory signals on the limits of stability, postural and gait skills, and spatiotemporal gait characteristics in patients with Parkinson's disease with no falls during the previous 12 months. Design: Randomized clinical trial with assessor blinded to group assignment. Subjects: Twenty-eight patients with Parkinson's disease with no falls during the previous 12 months. Methods: Eligible patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which undertook repetitive step training with preparatory visual cues, or a control group, which undertook lower limb strength training for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included limits of stability test, postural and gait sub-scores from Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score (UPDRS-PG), and spatiotemporal gait characteristics. All tests were conducted before and after training at patients' peak medication cycle. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in reaction time, movement velocity, and endpoint excursion of limits of stability, as well as UPDRS-PG score and stride length (p <0.05), compared with the control group. Both groups significantly increased gait velocity (p <0.05). Conclusion: Repetitive step training with preparatory cues can enhance limits of stability, postural and gait skills and spatiotemporal gait characteristics in patients with Parkinson's disease with no falls during the previous 12 months.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)944-949
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume44
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Balance
  • Gait
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Rehabilitation
  • Visual cues

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • General Medicine

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