Effects of Speed Differences in Treadmill Walking on Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine the effects of speed differences in treadmill walking exercise on Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. [Participants and Methods] The maximum walking speed, stride length, gait rate, and lateral, vertical, and anterior-posterior RMS during walking were compared among 23 patients with PD. [Results] Walking speed, stride length, walking rate, and vertical and anterior-posterior root mean square (RMS) significantly improved after maximal and comfortable treadmill walking compared to before. Lateral RMS significantly improved after comfortable treadmill walking compared to before. There were no significant differences in the rates of change of the items between before and after maximal and comfortable treadmill walking. [Conclusion] There was no difference in the immediate effect of the speed of treadmill walking exercise on the walking ability of PD patients; both speeds improved walking ability.