Changes in Functional Performance in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease Following 2-month Physiotherapy Intervention

Functional Performance in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: Changes Following 2-month Physiotherapy Intervention in Small Groups and Impact of Disease Progression

Aim of current study was to evaluate the effect of a 2-month comprehensive physiotherapy intervention on different aspects of functional performance. In addition, progression of PD motor symptoms (using standardized clinical tests for the assesment) was of interest

The aim of current study was to enroll 50 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and randomly assign them into intervention and control group. Patients were randomly contacted through the epidemiological database of patients with Parkinson' disease of South-Estonia. 44 participants agreed to come to the baseline assessment including:

• Timed-Up-And-Go Test Battery
• Four square step test
• Physical performance test
• Short Physical Performance
• 10-m walk test
• Grooved Purdue Pegboard test
• Assessment of range of motion In addition, current disease status was assessed using Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, Mini Mental Sate Examination. Further, quality of life was assessed using PDQ-39, hand-writing was recorded using white, squared and striped paper and freezing of gait questionaire (FOG-Q) was administered. Within a week from baseline assessment participants randomly assigned to intervention group, started physiotherapy intervention. The intervention was carried out in small groups (3 people in a group) and was carried out as out-patient physiotherapy during 8 week period. During each week 2 sessions with a length of an hour were scheduled. Within a week of the last therapy session, second assessment was conducted (for control group the second assessment was carried out ten weeks post-baseline assessment.

Third assessment was assigned one year after (then the same assessment was performed, in addition body composition was analysed using DXA), forth assessment an other year later.

During forth assessment 15 members starting in the intervention group and 10 starting in the control group participated.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson Disease
2. age within the age limits
3. no other untreated medical conditions that might affect gait or postural stability
4. able to walk without assistive device
5. score of Mini Mental State Examination above 24
6. no other neurological conditions in medical anamnesis

Exclusion Criteria:

Not meeting the inclusion criteria