Effectiveness of Balance Exercise and Brisk Walking on Alleviating Nonmotor and Motor Symptoms in People With Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial With 6-Month Follow-up.
Study Goal
To investigate the effects of balance exercise and brisk walking on nonmotor and motor symptoms, balance, gait functions, walking capacity, and balance confidence in individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.
Results Summary
The combined balance and brisk walking program improved nonmotor and motor symptoms, walking capacity, balance, and gait functions post-training, with sustained benefits for motor outcomes at 6-month follow-up. Significant improvements were observed in mini-BEST score, comfortable gait speed, 6-minute walk test, and dual-task timed-Up-and-Go time.
Population
Individuals with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease (n=99).
Effective Dosage
90-minute supervised sessions (weekly for weeks 1-6, monthly for weeks 7-26) plus unsupervised home exercises 2-3 times/week.
Duration
6 months (with 6-month follow-up).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | decrease | nonmotor symptoms | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | alleviates | #1 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | decrease | motor symptoms | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | alleviates | #2 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | walking capacity | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | improves | #3 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | balance | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | improves | #4 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | gait functions | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | improves | #5 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | mini-BEST score | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | significant between-group improvements | #6 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | comfortable gait speed (CGS) | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | significant between-group improvements | #7 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | 6-minute walk test (6MWT) | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | significant between-group improvements | #8 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | decrease | dual-task timed-Up-and-Go (DTUG) time | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | significant between-group improvements | #9 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | decrease | motor symptoms | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | positive carryover effects | #10 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | walking capacity | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | positive carryover effects | #11 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | balance | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | positive carryover effects | #12 |
balance and brisk walking group (B&B) | increase | gait functions | individuals with mild-to-moderate PD | - | positive carryover effects | #13 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of balance exercise and brisk walking on nonmotor and motor symptoms, balance and gait functions, walking capacity, and balance confidence in Parkinson disease (PD) at posttraining and 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: Two-arm, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial SETTING: University research laboratory and the community PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine eligible individuals with mild-to-moderate PD INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to balance and brisk walking group (B&B, n=49) or active control group (n=50). B&B received ten 90-minute sessions of balance exercises and brisk walking supervised by physical therapists for 6 months (week 1-6: weekly, week 7-26: monthly), whereas control practiced whole-body flexibility and upper limb strength exercise at same dosage (180 min/wk). Both groups performed unsupervised home exercises 2-3 times/wk during intervention and continued at follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale nonmotor (MDS-UPDRS-I) and motor (MDS-UPRDS-III) scores. Secondary outcomes were mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BEST) score, comfortable gait speed (CGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), dual-task timed-Up-and-Go (DTUG) time, and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale score. RESULTS: Eighty-three individuals completed the 6-month intervention with no severe adverse effects. The mean between-group (95% CI) difference for the MDS-UPDRS nonmotor score was 1.50 (0.19-2.81) at 6 months and 1.09 (-0.66 to 2.85) at 12 months. The mean between-group (95% CI) difference for the MDS-UPDRS motor score was 3.75 (0.69-6.80) at 6 months and 4.57 (1.05-8.01) at 12 months. At 6 and 12 months, there were significant between-group improvements of the B&B group in mini-BEST score, CGS, 6MWT, and DTUG time. CONCLUSIONS: This combined balance and brisk walking exercise program alleviates nonmotor and motor symptoms and improves walking capacity, balance, and gait functions posttraining, with positive carryover effects for all except nonmotor outcomes, at 6-month follow-up in mild-to-moderate PD.