The Influence Of Overground Locomotor Training Program On Dynamic Balance In People With Parkinson'S Disease

PURPOSE: People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have impaired balance during walking that contributes to reduced physical activity and lower quality of life. Overground locomotor training (OLT) is one method to improve dynamic balance for people with PD during walking. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of an OLT program on dynamic balance during overground walking in people with PD. METHODS: Five participants with PD (age: 68.9±6.7 yrs) were enrolled in a 12-week OLT program with an emphasis on power, stepping and stability within all planes of movement. Participants completed a 10-minute walk test (10MWT) overground wearing portable tri-axial motion sensors at baseline (PRE) and after (POST) intervention. Temporospatial data were collected pre- and post-intervention to obtain time in double limb support (TDLS) and calculate gait stability ratio (GSR) during the 10MWT. TDLS represents one’s strategy for maintaining dynamic balance during gait. GSR is the ratio between number steps per minute and gait velocity. For both TLDS and GSR, lower values following intervention represent improved dynamic balance during walking. Gait characteristics were analyzed separately for each limb using paired Student’s t tests. RESULTS: Average TDLS was reduced for both limbs after intervention (PRE (L: 18.88±3.03; R: 18.89±3.04%); POST (L: 15.10±2.66; R: 15.11±2.68), p