Downhill walking training in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of downhill walking training on gait and thoracic kyphosis in patients with Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with Parkinson's disease were randomized into an experimental group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 17). Subjects in the experimental group underwent 4-wks of downhill walking training, whereas subjects in the control group received conventional therapy for 4 wks. Gait parameters, thoracic kyphosis, and muscle strength of knee were measured at pretraining, posttraining, and at 1-mo follow-up.


RESULTS
There were significant interaction effects between group and time of evaluation on gait parameters and thoracic kyphotic curve. There was also a significant group effect for muscle strength of knee extensors.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that downhill walking training is beneficial for improving gait performance in patients with Parkinson's disease and may contribute to maintenance of thoracic posture in these subjects.
Yang
Yea-Ru
YR
Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee
Ya-Yun
YY
Cheng
Shih-Jung
SJ
Wang
Ray-Yau
RY
D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011187:Posture; D016138:Walking