Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 12-week polestriding intervention on gait
and disease severity in people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease (PD).
DESIGN: A-B-A withdrawal study design. SETTING: Outpatient movement disorder
center and community facility. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=17; 9 women [53%] and
8 men [47%]; mean age, 63.7+/-4.9y; range, 53-72y) with mild to moderate PD
according to United Kingdom brain bank criteria with Hoehn & Yahr score ranging
from 2.5 to 3.0 with a stable medication regimen and ability to tolerate "off"
medication state. INTERVENTIONS: Twelve-week polestriding intervention with
12-week follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait was evaluated using several
quantitative temporal, spatial, and variability measures. In addition, disease
severity was assessed using clinical scales such as Unified Parkinson's Disease
Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn & Yahr scale, and Parkinson's Disease
Questionnaire-39. RESULTS: Step and stride lengths, gait speed, and step-time
variability were improved significantly (P<.05) because of 12-week polestriding
intervention. Also, the UPDRS motor score, the UPDRS axial score, and the scores
of UPDRS subscales on walking and balance improved significantly after the
intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Because increased step-time variability and decreased
step and stride lengths are associated with PD severity and an increased risk of
falls in PD, the observed improvements suggest that regular practice of
polestriding may reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility in people with PD.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS