Anterior Foot Wedge With Neuromuscular Training for Balance in Parkinson's Disease

Efficacy of Anterior Foot Wedge Modulation With Neuromuscular Training on Balance During Walking in Parkinsonian Patients

This study will test whether combining an anterior foot wedge with neuromuscular training can improve balance, gait, and muscle activity in people with Parkinson's disease. Thirty patients (ages 45-75) with moderate Parkinson's (Hoehn & Yahr Stage III) will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Group 1 (Control): Receives a standard physical therapy program including stretching, strengthening, PNF, weight-shifting, and gait training.

Group 2 (Experimental): Receives the same physical therapy plus neuromuscular training using the Biodex Multi-Joint System and a custom anterior foot wedge.

All participants will train for 60 minutes, three times per week, for 8 weeks. Before and after the program, researchers will measure: balance (using the Biodex Balance System), gait (via Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and motion analysis), and muscle activity in the trunk (using electromyography). The goal is to find a more effective rehabilitation approach to reduce fall risk and improve walking in Parkinson's patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, confirmed by neurologist. Disease severity classified as Stage III on the Hoehn & Yahr scale. Age between 45 and 75 years. Medically stable (normal vital signs). Conscious, cooperative, and able to follow instructions. No severe cognitive or psychological impairment. Able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe disability or advanced Parkinsonism (Stage IV or V). Presence of other neurological or orthopedic conditions affecting gait or balance (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, severe arthritis).

History of diabetes in second-degree relatives (as specified in your protocol). Unstable medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac disease). Inability to stand or walk with minimal assistance. Non-cooperative or unable to tolerate assessment procedures (EMG, Biodex, motion analysis).