163 Thai Traditional Game-Based Exercise for Gait and Balance of People with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Abstract Falls and recurrent falls are serious complications for people with PD. Poor standing balance, impaired ambulation, impaired lower-limb motor planning, postural instability and falling in previous year are associated with falling in PD. Exercise based computer game (Exergaming) have been used for motor rehabilitation to promote gait and balance and can encourage therapeutic activity. However, many commercially available games are not affordable for some people with Parkinson’s Disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Thai Traditional game (TTG) based exercise on gait and balance in people with Parkinson’s Disease. A total of 22 participants with PD (mild –moderate severity) were randomly assigned to either a TTG group or a control group. Participants in TTG completed 1 hour, 3 sessions a week for 10 weeks. The TTG comprises 10 games involved instruction in sit to standing, slow and fast walking speed, turning, weight shifting, reaching, obstacle stepping, cognition, clapping and singing. Gait and balance were assessed before and after the training sessions. Measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Balance platform, Timed Up and Go (TUG) and The GaitRite walkway. Participants in TTG groups showed significantly improved BBS, TUG, gait velocity and sagittal mean sway with eyes open (p <0.05). Thai Traditional Game based exercise incorporated therapeutic movement could lead improvement in gait and balance and participants seem to enjoy playing as an activity while maintaining their functionality. Future studies should incorporate larger groups and focus on long-term compliance and follow-up.