Effects of an Innovative Balance Training Programme in Enhancing Postural Control and Reducing Falls in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Parkinson's Disease
• Interventions: Other: experimental; Other: control

• Registration Number: NCT01427062
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

Falling is a complex and most disabling feature for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies suggested that falls in patients with PD are related to postural instability characterized by deficits in anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) for postural orientation in walking and standing and inadequate postural response to perturbation. The present study developed an innovative balance treatment with focus of anticipatory and compensatory postural control and examined its effects on enhancing balance and gait performance and decreasing fall rate in people with PD.

Detailed Description

Participants: Forty-two eligible subjects with PD were randomly allocated into balance with focus of anticipatory and compensatory postural control (EXP) or control (CON) group with strength-focused training, with 26 subjects in each group.

Methods: Subjects in the EXP group were trained the speed and amplitude of anticipatory postural adjustment during stepping and walking and postural response to perturbation during walking. Subjects In the CON group were trained to improve the strength of lower limb muscles. Treatment period in both groups lasted for 12 weeks, which consisted of 4-week laboratory-based training (phase 1), 4-week home-based exercise (phase 2) and final 4-week laboratory-based training (phase 3). Outcome measures included reaction time(RT), movement velocity (MV) and endpoint excursion (EPE) of limit-of-stability test, one-leg-stance (OLS) time, gait velocity, stride length (SL), cadence, and fall rate. All tests were conducted for 6 time intervals including baseline, after each training phase, at 3-month follow-up and at 12-month follow-up.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-03
• Status Verified: 2011-08
• Study First Submitted: 2011-08-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-08-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-08-30
• Study First Posted: 2011-09-01
• Last Update Posted: 2011-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2012-03
• Study Completion: 2012-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 52

Inclusion Criteria

1. diagnosed as parkinson's disease
2. 45 years old or above
3. stable on anti-parkinsonian medications for at least 6 weeks prior to entry into the study, which will remain unchanged for the duration of the study
4. able to walk a 10 meter distance at least 3 times with or without walking aids independently
5. at stage 2 or 3 of the Hoehn and Yahr staging
6. able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. neurological conditions other than PD
2. uncompensated cardiovascular disease
3. less than 23 score on the Mini-Mental State examination,
4. History of fracture or recent musculoskeletal disorders in back or lower limbs which would interfere with the balance during exercise and daily activities
5. visual disturbance or vestibular dysfunction limiting locomotion or balance
6. participation in other balance-related training program more than one time per week

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
anticipatory and compensatory postural control training	experimental	Subjects in the experimental group were trained the speed and amplitude of anticipatory postural adjustment during fall-prone activities and postural response to perturbation during walking. Training was provided with preparatory cues, computerized machines and treadmill.
strength-focused training	control	Subjects in control group were provided with strength training of leg muscles using machines and during functional activities.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
reaction time of limits of stability test	One year
one-leg-stance time	one year
pull test	one year	it reflects the ability of compensatory postural control in patients with Parkinson's disease
fall rate	previous one year before baseline assessment, each following one month for 3-month of training and 12-month of follow-up
movement velocity of limit of stability test	one year
end point excursion of limits of stability test	One year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Unified Parkinson's Disease rating scale- motor examination subscale	one year	it reflects motor impairment of patients with Parkinson's disease
Gait velocity	one year
Stride length	One year
Cadence	One year

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 🇨🇳 Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China