Effects of resistance training on postural control in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postural instability affects Parkinson's disease (PD) patients' postural control right from the early stages of the disease. The benefits of resistance training (RT) for balance and functional capacity have been described in the literature, but few studies have been conducted showing its effects on PD patients' postural control. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a three-month RT intervention on static posturography (SP) measurements and clinical functional balance assessment among PD patients. METHODS: Seventy-four patients were randomly assigned to a three-month RT intervention consisting of using weightlifting machines at a gym (gym group) or RT consisting of using free weights and elastic bands (freew group), or to a control group. The participants were evaluated at baseline, three months and six months. We evaluated changes of SP measurements under eyes-open, eyes-closed and dual-task conditions (primary endpoint), along with motor performance and balance effects by means of clinical scales, dynamic posturography and perceptions of quality of life (secondary endpoints). RESULTS: There were no significant interactions in SP measurements among the groups. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) motor scores decreased in both RT groups (p<0.05). Better perceived quality of life for the mobility domain was reported in the gym group while functional balance scores improved in the freew group, which were maintained at the six-month follow-up (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study was not able to detect changes in SP measurements following a three-month RT intervention. Both RT groups of PD patients showed improved motor performance, with positive balance effects in the freew group and better perceived quality of life in the gym group.

Effects of resistance training on postural control in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial / Efeitos de um treinamento de resistência muscular no controle postural em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson: um estudo aleatorizado controlado

ABSTRACT Background: Postural instability affects Parkinson's disease (PD) patients' postural control right from the early stages of the disease. The benefits of resistance training (RT) for balance and functional capacity have been described in the literature, but few studies have been conducted showing its effects on PD patients' postural control. Objective: To investigate the effects of a three-month RT intervention on static posturography (SP) measurements and clinical functional balance assessment among PD patients. Methods: Seventy-four patients were randomly assigned to a three-month RT intervention consisting of using weightlifting machines at a gym (gym group) or RT consisting of using free weights and elastic bands (freew group), or to a control group. The participants were evaluated at baseline, three months and six months. We evaluated changes of SP measurements under eyes-open, eyes-closed and dual-task conditions (primary endpoint), along with motor performance and balance effects by means of clinical scales, dynamic posturography and perceptions of quality of life (secondary endpoints). Results: There were no significant interactions in SP measurements among the groups. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) motor scores decreased in both RT groups (p<0.05). Better perceived quality of life for the mobility domain was reported in the gym group while functional balance scores improved in the freew group, which were maintained at the six-month follow-up (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study was not able to detect changes in SP measurements following a three-month RT intervention. Both RT groups of PD patients showed improved motor performance, with positive balance effects in the freew group and better perceived quality of life in the gym group.

RESUMO Introdução: A instabilidade postural afeta o controle postural desde os estágios iniciais da doença de Parkinson (DP). A literatura descreve benefícios do programa de fortalecimento muscular no equilíbrio, na capacidade funcional, porém poucos estudos investigaram seus efeitos no controle postural na DP. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos de um programa de três meses de fortalecimento nas medidas da posturografia estática (PE) e nos testes clínicos na DP. Métodos: Participaram do ensaio aleatório controlado 74 pacientes, designados em um dos seguintes grupos: fortalecimento utilizando aparelhos de musculação (gmusc); fortalecimento com pesos livres e elásticos (gpeso); e grupo controle. As avaliações ocorreram antes da intervenção, 3 e 6 meses após intervenção. Foram avaliados alterações nas medidas da PE nas condições de olhos abertos, olhos fechados e dupla tarefa (desfecho primário), efeitos sobre sintomas motores, equilíbrio por meio de escalas clínicas, posturografia dinâmica e percepção da qualidade de vida (desfechos secundários). Resultados: Não houve interações significativas nas medidas da PE entre os grupos. As pontuações motoras da Escala Unificada de Avaliação da Doença de Parkinson (UPDRS-III) diminuíram em ambos os grupos de fortalecimento (p<0,05). Houve melhora da percepção da qualidade de vida para o domínio mobilidade no gmusc, assim como ganhos nas pontuações dos testes funcionais no gpeso, mantido no seguimento após seis meses (p<0,05). Conclusões: O programa de fortalecimento não altera o controle postural medida pela PE. Apesar disso, ambos os grupos de fortalecimento apresentaram melhor desempenho motor, efeitos positivos a médio prazo no equilíbrio no gpeso e melhor desempenho na qualidade de vida no gmusc.

Aplicação simultânea de estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua cerebelar anódica para reabilitação do equilíbrio na ataxia cerebelar: relato de caso / Application of add-on anodal cerebellar direct current stimulation for balance rehabilitation in cerebellar ataxia: a case report

INTRODUÇÃO: As ataxias cerebelares são um extenso grupo de doenças que causam diversos distúrbios na marcha e no equilíbrio, e que comprometem seriamente a qualidade de vida, sem opções de tratamento eficazes. A cinesioterapia é a base de programas multifacetados que incorporam mais de um enfoque, como o treinamento de coordenação e equilíbrio. Recentemente, a estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua (tDCS) sobre o cerebelo surgiu como uma intervenção para melhorar os distúrbios do equilíbrio. OBJETIVO: Descrever a aplicação simultânea de tDCS anódica cerebelar e cinesioterapia, em sessões múltiplas diárias para reabilitação da ataxia cerebelar. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este relato de caso incluiu um paciente do sexo masculino, de 34 anos, com história de ataxia espinocerebelar há 10 anos. Seus principais objetivos eram melhorar a marcha e o equilíbrio. Ele apresentava ataxia axial e apendicular, dificuldades na marcha e no equilíbrio. O protocolo de estimulação do cerebelo consistiu na aplicação de tDCS por 20 minutos, 2mA, diariamente, durante duas semanas, com ânodo posicionado sobre o ínion e cátodo sobre o músculo deltóide direito. A cinesioterapia simultânea incluiu exercícios funcionais progressivos com objetivo principal de treinamento de equilíbrio. RESULTADOS: A melhora clínica foi particularmente evidenciada por uma redução de 4 pontos na Escala para Avaliação e Graduação da Ataxia após 10 sessões, enquanto a literatura recomenda a eficácia de uma nova terapia que retardaria a progressão da ataxia em 1 ponto por ano. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que a associação entre tDCS e cinesioterapia foi eficaz neste paciente; as sessões de tDCS foram seguras e bem toleradas e podem ter desempenhado um papel na melhora nos testes funcionais. Novos estudos controlados envolvendo um número maior de pacientes são necessários para analisar os benefícios destas técnicas combinadas para maximizar a reabilitação motora nesta população.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebellar ataxias are an extensive group of diseases, which cause many disorders in gait and balance that seriously impair quality of life, and without effective treatment options. Kinesiotherapy is the basis of multifaceted programs that incorporate more than one focus, such as coordination and balance training. Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the cerebellum has emerged as an intervention to improve balance disorders. OBJECTIVE: To describe a daily multiple session's simultaneous application of anodal cerebellar tDCS to kinesiotherapy for rehabilitation in cerebellar ataxia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case report included a 34-year-old male patient with a 10-year history of spinocerebellar ataxia. His main goals were to improve his walking ability and balance. He presented with axial and appendicular ataxia, impaired gait, and balance. The protocol used to stimulate the cerebellum consisted of twenty-minute tDCS, 2mA, daily applied, over two weeks, with anode positioned over the inion and cathode over the right deltoid muscle. Simultaneous kinesiotherapy included progressive functional exercises with the main objective of balance training. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was particularly evidenced by a 4-point reduction in the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia after ten sessions, while literature recommends efficacy of a new therapy that would retard ataxia progression by 1 point per year. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the association between tDCS and kinesiotherapy was effective in this patient; tDCS sessions were safe and well-tolerated and may have played a role in improving functional tests. Further controlled studies involving a larger number of patients are needed to analyze the benefits of these combined techniques to maximize motor rehabilitation in this population.

Is virtual reality beneficial for dual-task gait training in patients with Parkinson's disease? A systematic review.

This systematic review examined the evidence about the effects of virtual reality (VR) on dual-task gait training in Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: this study (PROSPERO registration CRD42019114736) aimed to answer the question: "Is VR beneficial for dual-task gait training in patients with PD?" We searched for studies from 2008 to 2018 on Medline/PubMed and Web of Science/Web of knowledge databases. The keywords were Parkinson AND gait training AND virtual reality OR Parkinson AND gait training AND game. A total of 55 articles were retrieved, of which 11 systematic reviews, 11 opinions, letters to the editor, posters or conferences abstracts and 17 studies not evaluating the effects of VR gait training were excluded. Three further studies addressing VR dual-task gait training in PD (found in references of studies selected) were also included. Therefore, 19 studies were included and analysed. RESULTS: all studies reported gait improvement after VR training. Many clinical scales were used, hampering comparison of the effects of each protocol. CONCLUSION: VR dual-task gait training should be part of rehabilitation protocols for PD. The studies showed that VR training was effective, although specific guidelines have not yet been established.

Essa revisão sistemática examinou as evidências sobre os efeitos da realidade virtual (RV) no treinamento de marcha com tarefa-dupla na doença de Parkinson (DP). MÉTODOS: esse estudo (registro PROSPERO: CRD42019114736) visou responder à questão: "A RV é benéfica no treinamento de marcha com tarefa-dupla em pacientes com DP?" A busca, de 2008 a 2018, foi feita nos bancos de dados Medline/PubMed e Web of Science/Web of Knowledge. Os descritores foram Parkinson, treinamento de marcha, realidade virtual e jogos eletrônicos. Foram encontrados 55 artigos e eliminadas 11 revisões sistemáticas, 11 cartas ao editor, resumos de pôsteres ou conferências e 17 estudos que não avaliaram os efeitos do treinamento da marcha em RV. Três outros estudos (encontrados nas referências dos estudos selecionados) foram incluídos porque também abordaram o treinamento de marcha com dupla tarefa de RV em DP. Portanto, 19 estudos foram incluídos e analisados. RESULTADOS: todos os estudos relataram melhora da marcha após o treinamento com RV. Muitas escalas clínicas foram usadas e foi difícil comparar os efeitos de cada protocolo. CONCLUSÃO: RV deve fazer parte dos protocolos de reabilitação em DP. O treinamento com RV é eficaz, embora recomendações específicas ainda não tenham sido estabelecidas.

Is virtual reality beneficial for dual-task gait training in patients with Parkinson's disease? A systematic review / A realidade virtual é benéfica para o treino de marcha com tarefa dupla em pacientes com doença de parkinson? revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT This systematic review examined the evidence about the effects of virtual reality (VR) on dual-task gait training in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: this study (PROSPERO registration CRD42019114736) aimed to answer the question: "Is VR beneficial for dual-task gait training in patients with PD?" We searched for studies from 2008 to 2018 on Medline/PubMed and Web of Science/Web of knowledge databases. The keywords were Parkinson AND gait training AND virtual reality OR Parkinson AND gait training AND game. A total of 55 articles were retrieved, of which 11 systematic reviews, 11 opinions, letters to the editor, posters or conferences abstracts and 17 studies not evaluating the effects of VR gait training were excluded. Three further studies addressing VR dual-task gait training in PD (found in references of studies selected) were also included. Therefore, 19 studies were included and analysed. Results: all studies reported gait improvement after VR training. Many clinical scales were used, hampering comparison of the effects of each protocol. Conclusion: VR dual-task gait training should be part of rehabilitation protocols for PD. The studies showed that VR training was effective, although specific guidelines have not yet been established.

RESUMO Essa revisão sistemática examinou as evidências sobre os efeitos da realidade virtual (RV) no treinamento de marcha com tarefa-dupla na doença de Parkinson (DP). Métodos: esse estudo (registro PROSPERO: CRD42019114736) visou responder à questão: "A RV é benéfica no treinamento de marcha com tarefa-dupla em pacientes com DP?" A busca, de 2008 a 2018, foi feita nos bancos de dados Medline/PubMed e Web of Science/Web of Knowledge. Os descritores foram Parkinson, treinamento de marcha, realidade virtual e jogos eletrônicos. Foram encontrados 55 artigos e eliminadas 11 revisões sistemáticas, 11 cartas ao editor, resumos de pôsteres ou conferências e 17 estudos que não avaliaram os efeitos do treinamento da marcha em RV. Três outros estudos (encontrados nas referências dos estudos selecionados) foram incluídos porque também abordaram o treinamento de marcha com dupla tarefa de RV em DP. Portanto, 19 estudos foram incluídos e analisados. Resultados: todos os estudos relataram melhora da marcha após o treinamento com RV. Muitas escalas clínicas foram usadas e foi difícil comparar os efeitos de cada protocolo. Conclusão: RV deve fazer parte dos protocolos de reabilitação em DP. O treinamento com RV é eficaz, embora recomendações específicas ainda não tenham sido estabelecidas.

Relationship Between Posturography, Clinical Balance and Executive Function in Parkinson´s Disease.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between posturography, clinical balance, and executive function tests in Parkinson´s disease (PD). Seventy-one people participated in the study. Static posturography evaluated the center of pressure fluctuations in quiet standing and dynamic posturography assessed sit-to-stand, tandem walk, and step over an obstacle. Functional balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale, MiniBESTest, and Timed Up and Go test. Executive function was assessed by Trail Making Test (TMT) and semantic verbal fluency test. Step over obstacle measures (percentage of body weight transfer and movement time) were moderately correlated to Timed Up and Go, part B of TMT and semantic verbal fluency (r > 0.40; p < 0.05 in all relationships). Stepping over an obstacle assesses the responses to internal perturbations. Participants with shorter movement times and higher percentage of body weight transfer (higher lift up index) on this task were also faster in Timed Up and Go, part B of TMT, and semantic verbal fluency. All these tasks require executive function (problem solving, sequencing, shifting attention), which is affected by PD and contribute to postural assessment.

Cognitive or Cognitive-Motor Executive Function Tasks? Evaluating Verbal Fluency Measures in People with Parkinson's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Executive function deficits are observed in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) from early stages and have great impact on daily living activities. Verbal fluency and oral diadochokinesia involve phonarticulatory coordination, response inhibition, and phonological processing and may also be affected in people with PD. This study aimed to describe the performance of PD patients and an age- and education-matched control group on executive function, verbal fluency, and oral diadochokinesia tests and to investigate possible relationships between them. METHODS: Forty people with PD and forty controls were evaluated with Trail Making Test (TMT, executive function) and phonemic/semantic verbal fluency and oral diadochokinesia (/pataka/) tests. Groups were compared by ANOVA and relationships were investigated by Pearson tests. RESULTS: People with PD showed longer times in parts A and B of TMT. They also said fewer words in phonemic/semantic verbal fluency tests and less syllables in the diadochokinesia test. Oral diadochokinesia strongly correlated to parts A and B of TMT and to phonemic verbal fluency. CONCLUSION: Oral diadochokinesia was correlated to executive function and verbal fluency. The cognitive-motor interaction in verbal fluency and oral diadochokinesia must be considered not to overestimate the cognitive or motor impairments in people with PD.

Gait, posture and cognition in Parkinson's disease / Marcha, postura e cognição na doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACT Gait disorders and postural instability are the leading causes of falls and disability in Parkinson's disease (PD). Cognition plays an important role in postural control and may interfere with gait and posture assessment and treatment. It is important to recognize gait, posture and balance dysfunctions by choosing proper assessment tools for PD. Patients at higher risk of falling must be referred for rehabilitation as early as possible, because antiparkinsonian drugs and surgery do not improve gait and posture in PD.

RESUMO Distúrbios da marcha e perda de controle postural são as causas principais de queda e incapacidade na doença de Parkinson (DP). A alteração cognitiva desempenha um papel importante para a perda do controle postural e aumenta o risco de quedas; ela também interfere no cuidado e tratamento dos distúrbios da marcha. É importante reconhecer os transtornos da marcha, postura e equilíbrio escolhendo instrumentos de avaliação adequados para identificar os pacientes que tem maior risco de quedas e referi-los para reabilitação o mais precocemente possível, porque os medicamentos e a cirurgia não melhoram a marcha, nem a postura de pacientes com DP.

Gait, posture and cognition in Parkinson's disease.

Gait disorders and postural instability are the leading causes of falls and disability in Parkinson's disease (PD). Cognition plays an important role in postural control and may interfere with gait and posture assessment and treatment. It is important to recognize gait, posture and balance dysfunctions by choosing proper assessment tools for PD. Patients at higher risk of falling must be referred for rehabilitation as early as possible, because antiparkinsonian drugs and surgery do not improve gait and posture in PD.

Distúrbios da marcha e perda de controle postural são as causas principais de queda e incapacidade na doença de Parkinson (DP). A alteração cognitiva desempenha um papel importante para a perda do controle postural e aumenta o risco de quedas; ela também interfere no cuidado e tratamento dos distúrbios da marcha. É importante reconhecer os transtornos da marcha, postura e equilíbrio escolhendo instrumentos de avaliação adequados para identificar os pacientes que tem maior risco de quedas e referi-los para reabilitação o mais precocemente possível, porque os medicamentos e a cirurgia não melhoram a marcha, nem a postura de pacientes com DP.

The competition with a concurrent cognitive task affects posturographic measures in patients with Parkinson disease / A competição com uma tarefa cognitiva afeta medidas posturográficas de pacientes com doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACTObjectives To estimate the impact of a sensory-motor- cognitive task on postural balance, in Parkinson disease patients (Hoehn and Yahr 2-3) and to investigate possible relationships between posturography and functional balance clinical scales.Method Parkinson disease patients (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 27) were evaluated with fluency tests, Berg Balance scale, Mini Best test and static posturography on the conditions eyes open, eyes closed and dual-task (simultaneous balance and fluency tasks).Results Posturographic data showed that Parkinson disease patients performed worse than controls in all evaluations. In general, balance on dual-task was significantly poorer than balance with eyes closed. Posturographic data were weakly correlated to clinical balance scales.Conclusion In clinical practice, Parkinson disease patients are commonly assessed with eyes closed, to sensitize balance. Our study showed that adding a cognitive task is even more effective. Static posturographic data should be carefully overgeneralized to infer functional balance impairments.

RESUMOObjetivos Estimar o impacto de uma tarefa sensório-cognitivo-motora no equilíbrio, em pacientes com doença de Parkinson e investigar possíveis relações entre dados posturográficos e escalas de equilíbrio funcional.Método Pacientes (n = 40) e controles (n = 27) foram avaliados com testes de fluência verbal, escala de equilíbrio de Berg (BBS), Mini Best Test (MBT) e posturografia estática nas condições olhos abertos, olhos fechados e tarefa-dupla (equilíbrio e fluência verbal, simultaneamente).Resultados Dados posturográficos mostraram que pacientes apresentaram pior desempenho que controles em todas as avaliações. O equilíbrio na dupla-tarefa foi pior que na privação visual. Dados posturográficos apresentaram correlações fracas com a a BBS e MBT.Conclusão Pacientes com Parkinson são comumente avaliados com olhos fechados para sensibilizar o equilíbrio. Nosso estudo mostra que a adição de uma tarefa cognitiva é mais efetiva. Dados da posturografia estática devem ser generalizados com cuidado nas interferências sobre equilíbrio.

The competition with a concurrent cognitive task affects posturographic measures in patients with Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the impact of a sensory-motor- cognitive task on postural balance, in Parkinson disease patients (Hoehn and Yahr 2-3) and to investigate possible relationships between posturography and functional balance clinical scales. METHOD: Parkinson disease patients (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 27) were evaluated with fluency tests, Berg Balance scale, Mini Best test and static posturography on the conditions eyes open, eyes closed and dual-task (simultaneous balance and fluency tasks). RESULTS: Posturographic data showed that Parkinson disease patients performed worse than controls in all evaluations. In general, balance on dual-task was significantly poorer than balance with eyes closed. Posturographic data were weakly correlated to clinical balance scales. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, Parkinson disease patients are commonly assessed with eyes closed, to sensitize balance. Our study showed that adding a cognitive task is even more effective. Static posturographic data should be carefully overgeneralized to infer functional balance impairments.

Listenmee and Listenmee smartphone application: synchronizing walking to rhythmic auditory cues to improve gait in Parkinson's disease.

Evidence supports the use of rhythmic external auditory signals to improve gait in PD patients (Arias & Cudeiro, 2008; Kenyon & Thaut, 2000; McIntosh, Rice & Thaut, 1994; McIntosh et al., 1997; Morris, Iansek, & Matyas, 1994; Thaut, McIntosh, & Rice, 1997; Suteerawattananon, Morris, Etnyre, Jankovic, & Protas , 2004; Willems, Nieuwboer, Chavert, & Desloovere, 2006). However, few prototypes are available for daily use, and to our knowledge, none utilize a smartphone application allowing individualized sounds and cadence. Therefore, we analyzed the effects on gait of Listenmee®, an intelligent glasses system with a portable auditory device, and present its smartphone application, the Listenmee app®, offering over 100 different sounds and an adjustable metronome to individualize the cueing rate as well as its smartwatch with accelerometer to detect magnitude and direction of the proper acceleration, track calorie count, sleep patterns, steps count and daily distances. The present study included patients with idiopathic PD presented gait disturbances including freezing. Auditory rhythmic cues were delivered through Listenmee®. Performance was analyzed in a motion and gait analysis laboratory. The results revealed significant improvements in gait performance over three major dependent variables: walking speed in 38.1%, cadence in 28.1% and stride length in 44.5%. Our findings suggest that auditory cueing through Listenmee® may significantly enhance gait performance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential role and maximize the benefits of these portable devices.

Influence of educational status on executive function and functional balance in individuals with Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether educational status influenced how people with Parkinson disease (PD) performed on Parts A, B, and DELTA of the Trail Making Test (TMT) and on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that educational status may influence cognitive and motor test performance. METHODS: We gave the TMT and the BBS to assess executive function and functional balance in 28 people with PD (Hoehn and Yahr score between 2 and 3) and 30 healthy elderly people. Participants reported their number of years of formal education. We divided each group of participants by educational status: low (4 to 10 years of education) or high (≥11 years). RESULTS: In both the PD (P=0.018) and control (P=0.003) groups, participants with low educational status performed worse on the TMT Part B than did those with high educational status. Within the PD group, the less-educated participants scored worse on the BBS than did the more educated (P<0.001); this difference was not significant between the more- and less-educated controls (P=0.976). CONCLUSIONS: Whether or not they had PD, less-educated people performed worse than more-educated people on the TMT Part B. Educational status affected executive function, but PD status did not. Among individuals with PD, educational status influenced functional balance.