Abstract
En bloc turning highlights a lack of rotational intersegmental coordination, which commonly impacts turning ability in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Whilst this turning deficit responds fairly well to medical treatment, it may be further mitigated by performing specific exercise training. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the effects of a 4-week exercise program, which focused on task-specific movements (TSM program) on turning ability and clinical outcomes in people with PD. Twenty-two adults (67±6years) with early-to-mid-stage idiopathic PD were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n=11) or a control group (CG; n=11). The exercise group (EG) group received a 60-min per session TSM program for 4weeks (a total of 15 sessions), while the CG group performed their routine rehabilitation program (a total of 12 sessions). Inertial measurement units were used to measure turning kinematics including; onset latency of body segments and stepping characteristics. Clinical outcomes included the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), functional reach test (FRT), and fall efficacy scale international (FES-I). Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 4weeks. In the EG, turning kinematics, UPDRS scores, FRT, and FES-I scale, were improved at the end of the 4-week program compared with the CG (all p<0.05). A 4-week TSM program could be a promising alternative rehabilitation program for improving "en bloc" turns and clinical outcomes in PD patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
