Publication: Effect of Physical Therapy Training on Gait Initiation in Patients with Moderate Parkinson’s Disease
Issued Date
2014
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Language
eng
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
Chiang Mai University
Bibliographic Citation
Chiang Mai University Journal Natural Sciences. Vol.13, No.1 (2014), 43-49
Suggested Citation
Fuengfa Khobkhun, Sunee Bovonsunthonchai, Roongtiwa Vachalathiti, Apichart Pisarnpong Effect of Physical Therapy Training on Gait Initiation in Patients with Moderate Parkinson’s Disease. Chiang Mai University Journal Natural Sciences. Vol.13, No.1 (2014), 43-49. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/10381
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Title
Effect of Physical Therapy Training on Gait Initiation in Patients with Moderate Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of physical therapy treatment on gait initiation in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thirteen patients with PD were randomized into a treatment (n = 7) and control (n = 6) group.
Participants were assessed for their severity level, using the Modified Hoehn and Yahr scale, and motor evaluation, using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), items III and IV. At pre- and post-assessments, gait initiation was assessed using a gait mat, synchronized with a video camera. The treatment group received a physical therapy training program based on
the TrainingBIG™ technique and task-specific concepts, three times per week for four weeks. The control group received no physical therapy treatment. From analysis of the pre- and post-assessment variables, only the treatment
group showed a significant decrease in preparatory phase time (p = 0.043) and increase in step length (p = 0.018). In addition, the treatment group had a significant increase in step length (p = .022) at post-assessment when compared to the control group. The present findings demonstrated that physical therapy
treatment would be beneficial for patients with PD experiencing gait initiation problems.