Efficacy of a physical therapy program in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of a physical therapy (PT) program in groups of people with Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial with a crossover design.


METHODS
Two outpatient rehabilitation clinics in Boston and Amsterdam, respectively.


METHODS
Sixty-eight subjects diagnosed with typical, idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stage II or III, and stable medication use.


METHODS
Group A received PT and medication therapy (MT) for the first 6 weeks, followed by MT only for the second 6 weeks. Group B received only MT for the first 6 weeks and PT and MT for the second 6 weeks.


METHODS
The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP-68), the mobility portion of the SIP-68, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and comfortable walking speed (CWS) at baseline, 6-week, 12-week, and 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS
At 6 weeks, differences between groups were significant for the SIP mobility ( P =.015; effect size [ES]=.55), for CWS ( P =.012; ES=.49), for the activities of daily living (ADL) section of the UPDRS ( P =.014; ES=.45), and for the total UPDRS ( P =.007; ES=.56). The total SIP and the mentation and motor sections of the UPDRS did not differ significantly between groups. Significant differences were found at 3 months compared with baseline for CWS, the UPDRS ADL, and total scores.


CONCLUSIONS
People with PD derive benefits in the short term from PT group treatment, in addition to their MT, for quality of life related to mobility, CWS, and ADLs; long-term benefits were found in CWS, UPDRS ADL, and total scores but varied between groups.
Ellis
Terry
T
Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Center for Neurorehabilitation, Boston University, MA 02215, USA. tellis@bu.edu
de Goede
Cees J
CJ
Feldman
Robert G
RG
Wolters
Erik C
EC
Kwakkel
Gert
G
Wagenaar
Robert C
RC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005684:Gait; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016896:Treatment Outcome