Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal
  • Year: 2013
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 4

Effect of Obstacle Negotiation Training on Gait Parameters in Individuals with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

  • Author:
  • Jain Gunjan1, Walia Shefali2, Noohu M Majumi3
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 52 to 57

1M.P.T., Neurology, ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi

2Assistant Professor, ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, New Delhi

3Assistant Professor, Jamia Milia, New Delhi

Online published on 25 November, 2013.

Abstract

Gait disturbances are very common in Parkinson's disease. The reduction of stride length is considered the most prominent feature of Parkinson's gait often accompanied by lower walking speed 6,7. Traditional gait training generally fails to fully address these deficits. Thus, the main objective of this study was to check the effectiveness of obstacle negotiation training on gait parameters in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

24 subjects with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease were randomly allocated to one of the two groups: Experimental group (group 1, n = 12) received 6 sessions of conventional therapy along with obstacle negotiation training and the control group (group 2, n = 12) received only the conventional training. Performance of both the groups was evaluated on 10m walkway (normalized stride length, cadence and walking speed).

The post intervention gait parameters of experimental group were more statistically

significant over control group with p <0.05.

Obstacle negotiation training has a significant impact in improving normalized stride length, cadence and walking speed in Idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Keywords

Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, Obstacle Negotiation Training, Gait