Influence of treadmill gait training with additional load on motor function, postural instability and history of falls for individuals with Parkinson's disease: A randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Evaluate the effects of additional load (5% and 10% of body weight) with treadmill gait training on the motor aspects in Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Randomized controlled single-blind trial with 30 individuals with PD. The volunteers were divided into three groups (treadmill with 0%, 5% or 10% load), where Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale was applied. Treadmill gait training was conducted over 4 consecutive weeks, with three weekly sessions of 30 min each.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in all groups in the time factor for motor function (F = 12.92; P = 0.001) and postural instability (F = 11.23; P = 0.002). No significant difference was observed in group × time interaction (F < 1.76; P > 0.19).


CONCLUSIONS
The treadmill comprises an effective therapy for people with PD, for important motor aspects such as motor function and postural instability. Additional load had no influence on results.
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Larissa Coutinho de Lucena
LC
Trigueiro
Institute of Physical Activity and Sports Science, Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gabriela Lopes
GL
Gama
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Tatiana Souza
TS
Ribeiro
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Louise Gabriella Lopes de Macedo
LG
Ferreira
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Élida Rayanne Viana Pinheiro
ÉR
Galvão
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Emília Márcia Gomes de Souza E
EM
Silva
Department of Integrated Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Clécio de Oliveira Godeiro
CO
Júnior
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. Electronic address: raquellindquist@ufrnet.br.
Ana Raquel Rodrigues
AR
Lindquist
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*
Gait; Motor disorders; Neurorehabilitation; Parkinson's disease; Treadmill test