1Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy
2Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
*Corresponding author: Nimisha Mishra, Clinical Physiotherapist, Department of Neurophysiotherapy, Sancheti Institute, College of Physiotherapy, Sancheti Healthcare, Academy, Thube Park 11–12, 16, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India, Telephone: 020 - 25539393, Fax No: 020 - 25539494, email id: nimisha.s.mishra@gmail.com
Online published on 20 November, 2014.
Background: Postural instability and gait impairments are the most disabling aspect of Parkinson's disease. Rehabilitation training on a treadmill is an acceptable approach for the treatment of gait dysfunction in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. However studies till now have focused only on gait and not on assessment of balance. We performed this study to assess the effect of treadmill training on both gait and balance.
Aim: To study the effect of Treadmill training on gait and balance in Parkinson's patients.
Methodology: 10 patients of Parkinson's disease who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Treadmill training was given for 30 minutes, 3 days per week, for 6 weeks. All subjects were evaluated before treadmill training at baseline and reevaluated at the end of 6 weeks. Main outcome measures used were Tinneti Balance and Gait Assessment, Dynamic Gait Index, Gait speed and Stride length.
Results: Post treadmill training there was significant improvement seen in the outcome measures: Tinneti balance and gait score (P=0.005), dynamic gait index (P=0.005),gait speed (P=0.002)and stride length of right (P=0.002) and left (P= 0.002) leg.
Conclusion: Treadmill training is effective in improving the gait and balance impairments in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Treadmill Training, Gait, Balance, Parkinson's Disease
