The Effects of 4 Weeks of Exercise Training on Balance, Gait and Function in Parkinsons Disease

Leondre Edwards1, Gurpreet Singh, PT1, Kelly E Lyons, PhD2, Wen Liu, PhD1, Rajesh Pahwa, MD2, Neena Sharma, PT, PhD1
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER, Depts. of 1Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, 2Neurology

INTRODUCTION
Parkinsons disease (PD) is the second most common
neurodegenerative disorder affecting 4-4.5 million
people worldwide. The primary motor symptoms of PD
include tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness), and
postural instability.
About 50-70 percent of people with PD fall at least one
or more times in 12 months. Several studies reported
that postural instability is an indicator of increased fall
risk. Falls and hip fractures caused by PD cost
approximately $182 million annually.
Exercise has shown to slow disease progression and
improve motor impairments caused by PD. However
most balance interventions lacked well defined
specific, challenging balance interventions.

METHODS & MATERIALS

SUBJECT INCLUSION CRITERIA
Diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease (Hoehn & Yahr I-III)
Age 40 70 years (n=5)
Able to walk with or without assistive device

RESULTS

Group 1 (BSS)

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
Berg Balance Scale Test (BBS)
Gait Velocity Test
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

Age (years)

63.6 5.6

Weight (lbs)

188.7 36.8

INTERVENTION
4 weeks of balance specific exercises, 3 times a week
completed on Biodex Stability System (BSS)

Height (inches)

68.16 3.79

Gender (M/F)

3/2

Years of diagnosis

52.91

p=
0.0009

Therefore it is important to understand the effects of

balance specific interventions on PD.

PURPOSE
1. To evaluate changes in balance following 4 weeks
of balance training in individuals with PD.
2. To evaluate changes in gait following 4 weeks of
balance training in individuals with PD.
3. To evaluate changes in function following 4 weeks
of balance training in individuals with PD.

Balance
Elements

Activity

Duration

Static

Normal standing
Standing on both feet tightly together

6 min
6 min

Dynamic

Standing on left foot

Standing on right foot
Antero-posterior weight shift

6 min
6 min
6 min

Medio-lateral weight shift

6 min

Percentage weight shift

Limits of stability
Maze Control

6 min
6 min
6 min

p>
0.05

DISCUSSION
The results of this study indicates that
1.Significant differences were found in Berg balance score after 4 weeks of balance training on the Biodex stability system (Aim 1).
2.Gait velocity showed non significant increase after 4 weeks of balance training on Biodex stability system (Aim 2).
3. Timed Up and Go (TUG) showed non significant improvement in function after 4 weeks of balance training on Biodex stability
system..

CONCLUSION
Our preliminary data suggest that balance specific challenging protocols might help in improvement of balance, gait and function in
Individuals with PD.

Figure 1: Biodex Stability System

We might be able to answer if improvement in standing balance translates to improvement in gait and function as we recruit more
participants.

p >
0.05