Effects of an intensive Nordic walking intervention on the balance function and walking ability of individuals with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Nordic walking on a treadmill on balance function and walking ability in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Results Summary
Both Nordic walking training and treadmill training groups showed improvement in all measured outcomes, but the Nordic walking group exhibited significantly greater improvements in balance, walking ability, and motor function compared to the treadmill group.
Population
Individuals with stage 1-3 Parkinson's disease on the Hoehn and Yahr scale.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-M), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Timed Up-and-go test (TUG), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | - | Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention | #1 |
treadmill training (TT) | increase | the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-M), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Timed Up-and-go test (TUG), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | - | Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention | #2 |
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | UPDRS-M | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | p = 0.006; 95 % CI 0.825-4.374 | exhibited greater improvement in the UPDRS-M | #3 |
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | BBS | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | p = 0.002; 95 % CI 1.307-5.092 | exhibited greater improvement in the BBS | #4 |
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | TUG | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | p = 0.048; 95 % CI 0.028-2.582 | exhibited greater improvement in the TUG | #5 |
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | 10 MWT | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | p = 0.047; 95 % CI 0.108-2.306 | exhibited greater improvement in the 10 MWT | #6 |
Nordic walking training (NWT) | increase | 6 MWT | participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale | p = 0.003; 95 % CI 20.302-42.097 | exhibited greater improvement in the 6 MWT | #7 |
Nordic walking on a treadmill | increase | balance function and walking ability | individuals with PD | - | therapeutic benefit to improve balance function and walking ability | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with impairment in balance and postural control, accompanied by a progressive reduction in the speed and amplitude of movement. AIMS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Nordic walking on a treadmill on the balance function and walking ability of individuals with PD. METHOD: Twenty participants with stage 1-3 PD in the Hoehn and Yahr scale were randomly allocated to the Nordic walking training (NWT) group and treadmill training (TT) group, with ten participants per group. Measured outcomes included: the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-M), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Timed Up-and-go test (TUG), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p < 0.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on measured outcomes (p < 0.05). The NWT group exhibited greater improvement in the UPDRS-M (p = 0.006; 95 % CI 0.825-4.374), BBS (p = 0.002; 95 % CI 1.307-5.092), TUG (p = 0.048; 95 % CI 0.028-2.582), 10 MWT (p = 0.047; 95 % CI 0.108-2.306), and 6 MWT (p = 0.003; 95 % CI 20.302-42.097) compared to the TT group. CONCLUSIONS: Our outcomes provide evidence of the therapeutic benefit of Nordic walking on a treadmill to improve balance function and walking ability in individuals with PD.