title: [Effects of aquatic physical exercise on the kinematic gait pattern in patients with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study].
abstract: AIM. To determine the effects of an aquatic-based physical exercise program on gait parameters of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS. A total of nine patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD (stages I-III according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale) carried out an aquatic physical exercise program which lasted for five months, with one session per week. A three-dimensional biomechanical analysis was used to determine the effects of the program on several kinematic variables (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step time, single and double support time, angles of the hip, knee and ankle joints) which were assessed by a treadmill-walking test. RESULTS. At the end of the program, significant improvement in walking speed, stride length and on the relationship between single and double support time (p < 0,05). Although improvements in all tested ranges of motion were obtained, these did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS. Aquatic-based physical exercise seems to have positive effects in some aspects of the gait kinematics parameters present in the typical gait pattern of patients with PD.
authors.affiliation: Asociación Parkinson Bueu-Galicia, Universidad de Vigo, Pontevedra, Espana.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cancela
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ayan
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seijo-Martínez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006173:Gymnastics; D006801:Humans; D007590:Jogging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013550:Swimming; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents