To investigate if resistance training exercises performed twice a week with or without gym equipment assistance in a 12-week period could improve balance in patients with Parkinson Disease (PD). Methods: Sixty three patients with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage II - III) and preserved cognitive function will participate in this study. Patients will be randomized among three intervention groups: resistance training with free weights, resistance training with gym equipment and control group. Investigators will use static platform balance variables to assess the primary end-point outcome measures. For the secondary outcomes measures, most common clinical functional balances tests for PD will be applied: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Mini-BESTest - Balance Evaluation (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and variables from dynamic posturography.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor functions and is characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Despite of pharmacological treatments, patients remain with deficits in balance, gait, autonomic system functions and cognition which impact on their quality of life. The effects of resistance training on PD are still controversial when balance and improvement on functional tests are the targets. Since the results of previous studies about resistance training on balance are still controversial, more interventions are required to address the question if strengthening exercise may improve or not the balance of PD patients. Our exercises will target the trunk, leg and shoulder muscles because of their contribution on patient's posture.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
63
Patients from Gym Group will perform a strengthening program of 45 minutes sessions, twice a week in a 12-week period. The initial load is established as 60% of one-repetition maximum strength test (1RM) applied for each exercise at the beginning of program. Patients will be encouraged to perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions. All subjects will be instructed to rest for 30-60 second intervals between sets.
Patients from Free Weights Group will perform a strengthening program of 45 minutes sessions, twice a week in a 12-week period. The program aim to recruit the same muscles requested in Gym Group. Investigators will apply six different exercises with patients lying supine,standing in stance, sitting and in four points kneeling. All exercises aim to strengthen abdominal muscles, trunk extensors, gluteus, quadriceps and scapula adductors. Patients will perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions, the load will be offered with dumbbells, elastics with different resistances and anklets.
All three groups will be instructed to perform stretching exercises of trunk, leg and shoulder muscles, according to an illustrated booklet. Only the Control Group patients will be instructed to perform stretching exercises at home in the same 12-week period.
Department of Neurology of University of Sao Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
Postural sway on Static Posturography
Static Posturography is a technique used to objectively assess postural sway with patients standing still on a fixed platform that measures center of pressure displacement. Tests were standardized such as the feet position, the eye gaze and environment light, with three trials of 60-second test in eyes - open, eyes closed and eyes open in dual task condition. Investigators will analyze the anteroposterior displacement, medial-lateral displacement, area, velocity and path length.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Balance on Berg Balance Scale
Berg Balance Scale is used to assess balance and falls in elderly using different tasks. It consists of 14 tasks scoring from zero to four, zero means that the patient is unable to perform the task and four means that the task is performed independently.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Balance Evaluation on Mini-BESTest
The Mini-BESTest contains 14 items that assess dynamic balance focusing on anticipatory postural adjustments, postural responses, sensory orientation and stability in gait. Items are scored from 0 to 2 (normal performance in balance).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Functional balance and gait on Timed Up and Go test (TUG)
The TUG test measures individual speed while performing the sequence: rising from a chair, walking for three meters of distance, turning around and returning to the starting position, sitting on a chair. When the examination exceeds 13 seconds, patients have higher risk of falls.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Quality of life on PDQ-39 Questionnaire
The PDQ-39 assess quality of life of Parkinson's disease patients over the last month. Contains 39 items and eight dimensions (Mobility, Activities of daily living, Emotional well-being, Stigma, Social support, Cognitions and Bodily discomfort).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Functional balance on Dynamic Posturography
Dynamic posturography is a quantitative method to assess balance. This system have sensors located below two platforms and measures vertical and horizontal forces produced by the center of gravity during a pre-determined task (sit to stand, tandem walk and step over).
Time frame: 12 weeks
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