Stability and Balance in Locomotion Through Exercise

Sensorimotor Treadmill Training to Improve Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease

Persons with Morbus Parkinson commonly develop gait and balance disorders leading to dependence, loss of mobility and a high risk of falling.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a sensorimotor treadmill intervention to improve walking and balance abilities in persons with early stages of Parkinson's disease. The sensorimotor treadmill training is conducted on a special treadmill device which is challenging the participants by small oscillations. This intervention, which is supposed to simulate walking on natural, uneven surfaces, is compared to a conventional treadmill training.

Hypothesis: Sensorimotor treadmill training leads to larger improvements in walking and balance abilities as compared to conventional treadmill exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parkinson's disease stage 1-3 Hoehn and Yahr
• United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) 'gait' or 'postural stability' subscore of 1 or more
• Ability to stand unaided and walk without an assistive device
• Stable medication during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• On-off and wearing-off phenomena
• Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
• Clinically relevant cardiovascular or orthopaedic disease
• Severe polyneuropathy
• Cognitive impairment