Although Pilates has been proposed as a useful rehabilitation strategy in PD, research on its feasibility and potential effects on the motor symptoms and balance with this population is scarce. Some works have included Pilates as part of combined exercise session interventions, but information concerning their specific effects was not provided. Under these circumstances, this study aims at identifying the effects of adding Pilates as part of a conventional exercise rehabilitation program on the motor symptoms and static balance of PD persons. Participants (n=15) were assigned to a Pilates (PG) or to a conventional exercise group (CG) and performed one land-based and one water-based exercise session per week for 14 weeks. The MDS-UPDRS and a stabilometer were used to assess the impact of the intervention on the participant´s motor symptoms and static balance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
Warm-up exercises included Abdominal and costal breathing and Pelvic Clock. Some exercises included in the main part of the mat session were Arm arcs, Curls up, Femur arcs, Shoulder bridge, Leg circles, among others. The main part of the sitting/standing session included in standing position exercises like Standing on one leg with support, Neck rolls, Side leg lift with support and in sitting position Spine stretch 5", Elbows back with hands behind his head, Heel/knee slides, Shoulder drops, Knee folds, among others. In mat sessions, cooling exercises included in standing position Hamstring stretch and Abdominal Breathing and Rest position and in sitting/standing session Stretching and Abdominal Breathing.
All sessions started with a 15-minute warm-up phase based on walking performance and joint mobility exercises. It was followed by a 35-minute second phase, which included low-impact aerobics (music tempo was set at 120 beats per minute), gross motor coordination tasks and balance activities. The final 5-minute phase focused on gentle stretching exercises.
Motor impairment.
The Spanish adapted version of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) was administered to assess the impact of the intervention on the motor impairment and disability related to PD. The MDS-UPDRS total score ranges from zero to 200, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of PD symptoms.
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week before starting the program (week #0).
Anthropometric Measurements.
The height (cm) and weight (kg) of the participants were measured without shoes and in light clothing. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the following formula: weight / height2 (kg/m2).
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week before starting the program (week #0).
Change from baseline Anthropometric Measurements at week 15.
The height (cm) and weight (kg) of the participants were measured without shoes and in light clothing. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the following formula: weight / height2 (kg/m2).
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week after the programme was completed (week #15).
Change from week 15 Anthropometric Measurements at week 18 follow-up.
The height (cm) and weight (kg) of the participants were measured without shoes and in light clothing. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the following formula: weight / height2 (kg/m2).
Time frame: Follow-up assessment was performed four weeks after training ended (week #18).
Static Balance at baseline.
The static balance was evaluated using the TecnoBody Prokin 3 platform. The assessment protocol was developed in a sitting and standing position, with open (OE) and closed (CE) eyes. The participants had three 30-second attempts to perform the position with open and closed eyes and a 60-second interval of active rest between them. The static balance parameters assessed were the centre of pressure of the body in the frontal plane, the centre of pressure of the body in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the sum of distances of the amount of movement of the centre of pressure, and the displacement area of the centre of pressure.
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week before starting the program (week #0).
Change from baseline Static Balance at 15 weeks.
The static balance was evaluated using the TecnoBody Prokin 3 platform. The assessment protocol was developed in a sitting and standing position, with open (OE) and closed (CE) eyes. The participants had three 30-second attempts to perform the position with open and closed eyes and a 60-second interval of active rest between them. The static balance parameters assessed were the centre of pressure of the body in the frontal plane, the centre of pressure of the body in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the sum of distances of the amount of movement of the centre of pressure, and the displacement area of the centre of pressure.
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week after the programme was completed (week #15).
Change from week 15 Static Balance at week 18 follow-up.
The static balance was evaluated using the TecnoBody Prokin 3 platform. The assessment protocol was developed in a sitting and standing position, with open (OE) and closed (CE) eyes. The participants had three 30-second attempts to perform the position with open and closed eyes and a 60-second interval of active rest between them. The static balance parameters assessed were the centre of pressure of the body in the frontal plane, the centre of pressure of the body in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the amplitude movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the sagittal plane, the average speed of oscillation movement of the centre of pressure in the frontal plane, the sum of distances of the amount of movement of the centre of pressure, and the displacement area of the centre of pressure.
Time frame: Follow-up assessment was performed four weeks after training ended (week #18).
Change from baseline Motor Impairment at 15 weeks.
The Spanish adapted version of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) was administered to assess the impact of the intervention on the motor impairment and disability related to PD. The MDS-UPDRS total score ranges from zero to 200, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of PD symptoms.
Time frame: The participants were assessed one week after the programme was completed (week #15).
Change from week 15 Motor Impairment at week 18 follow-up.
The Spanish adapted version of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) was administered to assess the impact of the intervention on the motor impairment and disability related to PD. The MDS-UPDRS total score ranges from zero to 200, with higher scores indicating a greater impact of PD symptoms.
Time frame: Follow-up assessment was performed four weeks after training ended (week #18).
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