title: Effect of step training and rhythmic auditory stimulation on functional performance in Parkinson patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) can influence movement during straight line walking and direction transition in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors studied whether multidirectional step training with RAS would generalize to functional gait conditions used in daily activities and balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a matched-pairs design, 8 patients practiced externally paced (EP) stepping (RAS group), and 8 patients practiced internally paced (IP) stepping (no RAS group) for 6 weeks. Participants were evaluated on the first and last days of practice, and 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after practice termination. Evaluations included a primary measurement--the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)--and secondary measurements--the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Tinetti-gait and balance tests, Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RAS group significantly improved performance on the DGI and several secondary measures, and they maintained improvements for the DGI, Tinetti, FOGQ, and balance and gait items of the UPDRS above pretraining values at least 4 weeks after practice termination. The no RAS group revealed several improvements with training but could not maintain these improvements for as long as the other group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with PD can generalize motor improvements achieved during multidirectional step training to contexts of functional gait and balance. Training with RAS is advantageous for enhancing functional gait improvements and the maintenance of functional gait and balance improvements over 8 weeks.
authors: Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Kadivar
authors: Daniel M
authors: DM
authors: Corcos
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Foto
authors: Jan M
authors: JM
authors: Hondzinski
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa