The effects of speed-dependent treadmill training and rhythmic auditory-cued overground walking on gait function and fall risk in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to examine and compare the immediate and retention effects of speed-dependent treadmill training (SDTT) and rhythmic auditory-cued (RAC) overground walking on gait function and fall risk in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Twenty participants (mean age 66.1 yrs) with idiopathic PD were randomized into either SDTT (n = 10) or RAC (n = 10) progressive, interval-based locomotor training protocols. Immediate and retention training effects on gait function and fall risk were measured by comfortable and fast gait speed (CGS, FGS), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA).


RESULTS
Immediate within-group training effects revealed significant gains in CGS, 6MWT, and FGA for the RAC group, and in FGS, 6-MinuteWalk Test, and FGA for the SDTT group. Retention effects were found at 3-month follow-up for all gait measures in the RAC group, and for FGS and FGA in the SDTT group. No statistically significant differences in immediate or retention training effects on gait measures were found between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Externally-cued locomotor training with progressive and interval-based speed challenges, either with RAC overground or on a treadmill, produced significant improvements in walking speed, endurance, and dynamic balance during walking.
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Cathy C
CC
Harro
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Shoemaker
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Oksana J
OJ
Frey
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
April C
AC
Gamble
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Kendra B
KB
Harring
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Katherine L
KL
Karl
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Jeffrey D
JD
McDonald
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Carolyn J
CJ
Murray
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Erika M
EM
Tomassi
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Jasmine M
JM
Van Dyke
Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Rachel J
RJ
VanHaistma
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
Parkinson's disease; locomotor training; rehabilitation