The Effect of Exercise Training on Gait and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease

The Effect of Exercise Training on Gait and Quality of Life in Patients With Early Parkinson's Disease

The project aims to evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of treadmill training (TT), with and without a strengthening component, on functional mobility, gait and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The rationale for a study of this type stems from the hypothesis that treadmill training may act as an external "pacemaker" and enhance some properties of gait. There is a need for larger scale randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of treadmill training to control groups that receive similar amounts of attention. To date, no study has combined TT and muscle strengthening, likely the optimal form of therapy. A kinesiologist supervises the training, 3 times per week, for a total of 72 one-hour exercise sessions. It is hypothesized that at the end of 6 months, treadmill training will considerably improve walking parameters and the well being of people with PD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease
• Stage of II or less on Hoehn and Yahr scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having musculoskeletal impairments or having excessive pain in any joint that could limit participation in exercise program
• Dementia (MMSE<24)
• Having balance problems
• Live beyond 45 minutes from Laval University