Abstract
BackgroundAlthough physical therapy and falls prevention education are argued to reduce falls and disability in people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, this has not yet been confirmed with a large scale randomised controlled clinical trial. The study will investigate the effects on falls, mobility and quality of life of (i) movement strategy training combined with falls prevention education, (ii) progressive resistance strength training combined with falls prevention education, (iii) a generic life-skills social program (control group).Methods/DesignPeople with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who live at home will be recruited and randomly allocated to one of three groups. Each person shall receive therapy in an out-patient setting in groups of 3-4. Each group shall be scheduled to meet once per week for 2 hours for 8 consecutive weeks. All participants will also have a structured 2 hour home practice program for each week during the 8 week intervention phase. Assessments will occur before therapy, after the 8 week therapy program, and at 3 and 12 months after the intervention. A falls calendar will be kept by each participant for 12 months after outpatient therapy.Consistent with the recommendations of the Prevention of Falls Network Europe group, three falls variables will be used as the primary outcome measures: the number of fallers, the number of multiple fallers and the falls rate. In addition to quantifying falls, we shall measure mobility, activity limitations and quality of life as secondary outcomes.DiscussionThis study has the potential to determine whether outpatient movement strategy training combined with falls prevention education or progressive resistance strength training combined with falls prevention education are effective for reducing falls and improving mobility and life quality in people with Parkinson's disease who live at home.Trial registrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12606000344594
Highlights
Physical therapy and falls prevention education are argued to reduce falls and disability in people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, this has not yet been confirmed with a large scale randomised controlled clinical trial
This study has the potential to determine whether outpatient movement strategy training combined with falls prevention education or progressive resistance strength training combined with falls prevention education are effective for reducing falls and improving mobility and life quality in people with Parkinson’s disease who live at home
The primary aim of the current study is to conduct the first large scale community based trial to investigate if outpatient physical therapy programs comprising either (i) Movement strategy training (MST) combined with falls education or (ii) progressive resistance strength training (PST) combined with falls education are more effective than a control group that receives a generic “life-skills” program that does not contain any information or advice about gait, balance, falls, exercise or mobility
Summary
Physical therapy and falls prevention education are argued to reduce falls and disability in people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, this has not yet been confirmed with a large scale randomised controlled clinical trial. The study will investigate the effects on falls, mobility and quality of life of (i) movement strategy training combined with falls prevention education, (ii) progressive resistance strength training combined with falls prevention education, (iii) a generic life-skills social program (control group). Falls are common in people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) and fall related injuries can be associated with immobility and reduced quality of life. PD medications are adjusted in response to changes in symptoms [11]
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