title: Immediate effects of speed-dependent treadmill training on gait parameters in early Parkinson's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the immediate effects of different training interventions on gait parameters in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, multiple intervention crossover pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A rehabilitation center for adult persons with neurologic disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with early PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages I through III) and gait disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly assigned to varying sequences of the following interventions over 4 consecutive days: structured speed-dependent treadmill training (STT), limited progressive treadmill training (LTT), conventional gait training (CGT), and a control intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic gait parameters (overground walking speed and stride length at self-adapted speeds) and parameters of gait analysis based on vertical ground reaction forces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  STT and LTT improved all basic gait parameters and the double stance duration compared with preintervention values (P<.05). No changes were found after CGT and the control intervention (P<.05). Significantly higher gains were observed in all basic gait parameters after STT and LTT when compared with CGT and the control intervention (P<.05). Additionally, a greater reduction of double stance duration was found after STT than after the control intervention (P<.001). No significant differences in gains were observed between STT and LTT, or between CGT and the control intervention, in all gait parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main disturbances of gait in PD, namely, speed and stride length, can be improved through a single intervention of STT or LTT, but not through CGT and the control intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Klinik Bavaria, An der Wolfsschlucht 1-2, D-01731 Kreischa, Germany. marcus.pohl@klinik-bavaria.de
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rückriem
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mrass
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mehrholz
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome