title: Water-based vs. non-water-based physiotherapy for rehabilitation of postural deformities in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of two physiotherapy protocols (water-based vs. non-water-based) on postural deformities of patients with Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single blind, randomized controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient (Rehabilitative Department).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to one of two eight-week treatment groups: Water-based ( n = 15) or non-water-based physiotherapy exercises ( n = 15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in the degree of cervical and dorsal flexion and in the angle of lateral inclination of the trunk (evaluated by means of a posturographic system) were used as primary outcomes. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale section III, Time Up and Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence, Falls Efficacy Scale and the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire (39 items) were the secondary outcomes. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, at the end of training and eight weeks after treatment. Patients were always tested at the time of their optimal antiparkinsonian medication ('on' phase).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the treatment, only Parkinson's disease subjects randomized to water-based treatment showed a significant improvement of trunk posture with a significant reduction of cervical flexion (water-based group: -65.2°; non-water-based group: +1.7°) and dorsal flexion (water-based group: -22.5°; non-water-based group: -6.5°) and lateral inclination of the trunk (water-based group: -2.3°; non-water-based group: +0.3°). Both groups presented significant improvements in the secondary clinical outcomes without between-group differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that water-based physiotherapy was effective for improving postural deformities in patients with Parkinson's disease.
authors: 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Casa di Cura "Villa Margherita", Vicenza, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Volpe
authors: 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Casa di Cura "Villa Margherita", Vicenza, Italy.
authors: Maria Giulia
authors: MG
authors: Giantin
authors: 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Casa di Cura "Villa Margherita", Vicenza, Italy.
authors: Pilleri
authors: P
authors: Manuela
authors: 2 Parkinson's Centre, IRCCS S. Camillo, Lido Alberoni, Venice, Italy.|3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Montebelluna, Italy.
authors: Consuelo
authors: C
authors: Filippetto
authors: 4 Department of Neuroscience, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Pelosin
authors: 4 Department of Neuroscience, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Abbruzzese
authors: 2 Parkinson's Centre, IRCCS S. Camillo, Lido Alberoni, Venice, Italy.
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Antonini
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Parkinson’s disease; postural deformities; rehabilitation; water-based physiotherapy