Effects of Nordic walking training on functional parameters in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of Nordic walking training (NW) and Free walk (FW) on functional parameters and mobility in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
Results Summary
Both NW and FW groups showed improvements in motor symptoms, balance, and functional mobility, but the NW group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in functional mobility compared to the FW group.
Population
33 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nordic walking training | increase | UPDRS III | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #1 |
Nordic walking training | increase | balance scores | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.035 | improvements | #2 |
Nordic walking training | increase | TUGSS distance | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #3 |
Nordic walking training | increase | TUGFS distance | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #4 |
Nordic walking training | increase | SSW | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #5 |
Nordic walking training | increase | LRI | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #6 |
Free walk | increase | UPDRS III | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #7 |
Free walk | increase | balance scores | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.035 | improvements | #8 |
Free walk | increase | TUGSS distance | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #9 |
Free walk | increase | TUGFS distance | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #10 |
Free walk | increase | SSW | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #11 |
Free walk | increase | LRI | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | improvements | #12 |
Nordic walking training | increase | functional mobility | Parkinson's disease patients | P < 0.001 | showed significant differences | #13 |
We compare the effects of Nordic walking training (NW) and Free walk (FW) on functional parameters (motor symptoms, balance) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go at Self-selected Speed - TUGSS, and at forced speed, TUGFS; Self-selected Walking Speed, SSW; locomotor rehabilitation index, LRI) of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The study included 33 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD, and staging between 1 and 4 in the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y) randomized into two groups: NW (N = 16) and FW (N = 17) for 6 weeks. Baseline characteristics were compared trough a one-way ANOVA. Outcomes were analyzed using the Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) with a Bonferroni post-hoc. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Improvements in UPDRS III (P < 0.001), balance scores (P < 0.035), TUGSS distance (P < 0.001), TUGFS distance (P < 0.001), SSW (P < 0.001), and LRI (P < 0.001) were found for both groups. However, the NW group showed significant differences (P < 0.001) when compared to the FW group for the functional mobility. We conclude the NW improves functional parameters and walking mobility demonstrating that NW is as effective as the FW, including benefits for FW on the functional mobility of people with PD.