Amplitude and Rate of Intrinsic Feedback During Treadmill Training for Parkinson's Disease

N/ACompletedNCT01987557

Wilfrid Laurier University48 enrolled

Overview

Treadmill training has been shown to be beneficial for reducing motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). The mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of treadmill training remain unknown. However, specific types of intrinsic feedback generated from muscle spindles (detect changes in length of muscle) and golgi tendon organs (detect muscle force) seem to be an important factor for achieving the reductions in motor scores. This study will compare a treadmill program that generates a high rate of intrinsic feedback to a treadmill program focused on generating a high magnitude of intrinsic feedback.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease Treadmill

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 79 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of Parkinson's disease * must be able to walk unassisted for 10 metres Exclusion Criteria: * cardiovascular disease/history of stroke * Dementia * lower body injury that would be worsened by repetitive walking

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Motor Section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III)

A measure of the motor symptom severity within Parkinsons. UPDRS III is a qualitative assessment performed by a trained clinician. Specifically, a change in UPDRS III from pre to post is the main outcome measure. The UPDRS-III score is a summation of 27 tasks that are scored from 0-4. 0 meaning no impairment, and 4 representing extreme impairment, inability to complete task. Possible scores on the UPDRS-III range from 0 (no impairment) to 108 (extreme impairment).

Time frame: Pre assessments are conducted in the week prior to the treadmill program. Post are conducted during the week immediately following the program. Changes after the 6 week treadmill program are being examined

Secondary Outcomes

Spatiotemporal Aspects of Gait

Participants will walk on a pressure sensitive GAITRite carpet (Sparta, NJ), at both comfortable and fast paced walking speeds. Changes in gait characteristics from pre to post are what is being examined. Quantitative measures of gait such as step time, step length, walking velocity, and others will be used in the analysis. Spotters are always present to ensure safety during this assessment.

Time frame: pre test occurs within the week prior to the start of the treadmill training program. Post testing will occur during the week immediately following the 6 week treadmill training program.

Static Posturography (Balance/Postural Control)

A Balance SD system from BIODEX (Shirley, NY) will be used to assess postural control. Changes from pre to post are what is being examined.

Time frame: pre test occurs within the week prior to the start of the treadmill training program. Post testing will occur during the week immediately following the 6 week treadmill training program.