Article

Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) can influence movement during
straight line walking and direction transition in individuals with Parkinson
disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: The authors studied whether multidirectional step
training with RAS would generalize to functional gait conditions used in daily
activities and balance. METHODS: In a matched-pairs design, 8 patients practiced
externally paced (EP) stepping (RAS group), and 8 patients practiced internally
paced (IP) stepping (no RAS group) for 6 weeks. Participants were evaluated on
the first and last days of practice, and 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after
practice termination. Evaluations included a primary measurement--the Dynamic
Gait Index (DGI)--and secondary measurements--the Unified Parkinson's Disease
Rating Scale (UPDRS), Tinetti-gait and balance tests, Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), and
Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ). RESULTS: The RAS group significantly
improved performance on the DGI and several secondary measures, and they
maintained improvements for the DGI, Tinetti, FOGQ, and balance and gait items of
the UPDRS above pretraining values at least 4 weeks after practice termination.
The no RAS group revealed several improvements with training but could not
maintain these improvements for as long as the other group. CONCLUSIONS:
Individuals with PD can generalize motor improvements achieved during
multidirectional step training to contexts of functional gait and balance.
Training with RAS is advantageous for enhancing functional gait improvements and
the maintenance of functional gait and balance improvements over 8 weeks.

Langue : ANGLAIS