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.

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.