title: Combined rehabilitation program for postural instability in progressive supranuclear palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical parkinsonism clinically characterized by prominent axial extrapyramidal motor symptoms with frequent falls. The clinical response to L-dopa is poor and there is strong need for alternative treatment strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested the efficacy of a rehabilitative program combining a dynamic antigravity postural system (SPAD) and a vibration sound system (ViSS) on postural instability of 10 patients affected by PSP. The patients underwent SPAD and VISS treatments with a 3 sessions/week schedule for 2 months. Patients were clinically examined at baseline, every week during the 2-months treatment, and at 1 month after the end of treatment for the following parameters: baropodometry static, baropodometry dynamic and stabilometry. PSP rating scale and PD36 quality of life scale were also administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combined rehabilitative program produced improvement of all the parameters explored (p = 0.01-0.05) at the end of treatment as compared to baseline. Baropodometric dynamics improvement lasted until the end of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that a specific rehabilitation program could improve postural instability in PSP patients. A more continuous treatment protocol would allow stabilizations of results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Pancrazio
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bellomo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franciotti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iodice
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galati
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Andreagiovanni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bifolchetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onofrj
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonanni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saggini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome