Lack of Short-Term Effectiveness of Rotating Treadmill Training on Turning in People With Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson’s Disease and Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Study
By McNeely, Marie E.; Earhart, Gammon M.; Parkinson's Disease, Volume 2012, Number 623985Publication Date: 2012
Study determined the effects of rotating treadmill training on turning in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a disability which often results in impaired ability to turn. Participants were 26 people with PD and 27 age-matched controls. In-place 180 degree turns, functional turning measured by timed-up-and-go, and gait velocity measured with a GAITRite instrumented walkway were evaluated before and after 15 minutes of rotating treadmill training or stepping in place. A subset of 3 participants with PD completed 5 consecutive days of rotating treadmill training. Fast as possible gait velocity, timed-up-and-go time, 180 degree turn duration, and steps to turn 180 degrees were impaired in participants with PD compared to controls and did not improve following either intervention. Preferred pace gait velocity and timing of yaw rotation onset of body segments (head, trunk, and pelvis) during 180 degree turns were not different in participants with PD and did not change following either intervention. No improvements in gait or turning occurred after 5 days of rotating treadmill training, compared to one day. Based on study results, the authors conclude that the rotating treadmill is not recommended for short term rehabilitation of impaired in-place turning in the general PD population. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Published by: SAGE-Hindawi Access to Research (Website:http://www.sage-hindawi.com/)
Link to text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3236457/?tool=pmcentrez
