title: Complementary physical therapies for movement disorders in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growth and popularity of complementary physical therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) attempt to fill the gap left by conventional exercises, which does not always directly target wellbeing, enjoyment and social participation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of complementary physical therapies on motor performance, quality of life and falls in people living with PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review with meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients--adults diagnosed with idiopathic PD, male or female, modified Hoehn and Yahr scale I-IV, any duration of PD, any duration of physical treatment or exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials and case series studies were identified by systematic searching of health and rehabilitation electronic databases. A standardized form was used to extract key data from studies by two independent researchers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1210 participants from 20 randomized controlled trials, two non-randomized controlled trials and 13 case series studies were included. Most studies had moderately strong methodological quality. Dancing, water exercises and robotic gait training were an effective adjunct to medical management for some people living with PD. Virtual reality training, mental practice, aerobic training, boxing and Nordic walking training had a small amount of evidence supporting their use in PD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On balance, alternative physical therapies are worthy of consideration when selecting treatment options for people with this common chronic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complementary physical therapies such as dancing, hydrotherapy and robotic gait training appear to afford therapeutic benefits, increasing mobility and quality of life, in some people living with PD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, College Science Health and Engineering, School Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia - prialves_fisio@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alves Da Rocha
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McClelland
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life