Investigation of Dual-Task Exercise's Effect in Parkinson's Disease

Effect of Dual-Task Interference on Upper Extremity Motor Experience With Parkinson's Disease

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dual-task training on upper extremity motor functions in patients with Parkinson's disease. A total of 32 patients participated in the study. Patients were divided into two groups by randomization. One group received only conventional physiotherapy applications, while the other group performed dual-task exercises in addition. Dual-task exercises were performed while conventional treatment was applied. The treatment program was applied as 60x5x6 min/day/week.

Conventional treatment was determined according to the individual needs of the patients, including the lower and upper extremities. Dual-task interventions included performing such as counting backward, word recall, and reading words backward.

Assessments were repeated twice: Baseline and after a 30-session. "Demographic Information", "Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)", "Box and Block Test" and "Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) were used as assessment tools.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 50-85 years with a diagnosis of Stage 1-3 Parkinson's disease, based on the Hoehn & Yahr Scale
• Patients had to have no issues with performing basic mathematical operations, - A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score above 24 points,
• Regular medication use for at least 4 weeks (for patients who were prescribed medical treatment),
• No comorbid neurological, neuromuscular, or orthopedic diseases

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with vision or hearing impairments,
• Moderate-to-severe fluctuations in tremor or dyskinesia,
• Having deep brain stimulator implants, or sensory loss in the upper extremities.