A split-belt treadmill (SBT) is a treadmill with two belts, whereby each leg can be driven at a different speed. Previous work by the investigators showed that one session of SBT training improved turning while multi-tasking and reduced FOG in PwPD tested in the laboratory. However, subsequent work raises questions as to whether treadmill improvements following repeated SBT training generalize to overground situations in the long term. Therefore, in this study, the investigators will perform a four-week SBT intervention with added practice of everyday turning scenarios (SBT+CP) or placebo exercise (SBT+PL), and study its effects on FOG in both the laboratory and at home.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
Split-belt walking with various speed ratios between the two legs, applied with random-block practice
Overground gait flexibility training with added cognitive tasks
Mindfulness and breathing combined with static balance exercises
Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences (FaBeR)
Leuven, Belgium
Percentage Time Frozen during turning in place
Percentage Time Frozen scored from video of rapid alternating full turns in place. Based on earlier work showing immediate effects of SBT training on FOG during this task.
Time frame: up to 8 weeks post intervention
Time to complete Timed Up and Go (TUG)
Overall time to complete the Timed Up and Go task. The training is expected to improve multiple transitions between straight walking and turning and should be reflected in the overall task time.
Time frame: up to 8 weeks post intervention
Percentage Time Frozen over all FOG-provoking tasks
Percentage Time Frozen scored from videos of Turning in place,TUG, Hotspot door and Hotspot personalized.
Time frame: up to 8 weeks post intervention
Percentage Time Frozen over 1-week free-living monitoring
Percentage Time Frozen estimated from machine learning algorithm using free-living sensor data captured over 1 week.
Time frame: up to 8 weeks post intervention
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