Lower limb progressive resistance training improves leg strength but not gait speed or balance in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

General Treatments Promoting Independent Living in Parkinson's Patients and Physical Therapy Approaches for Improving Gait-A Comprehensive Review

This study delves into the multifaceted approaches to treating Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting motor function but also manifesting in a variety of symptoms that vary greatly among individuals. The complexity of PD symptoms necessitates a comprehensive treatment strategy that integrates surgical interventions, pharmacotherapy, and physical therapy to tailor to the unique needs of each patient. Surgical options, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), have been pivotal for patients not responding adequately to medication, offering significant symptom relief. Pharmacotherapy remains a cornerstone of PD management, utilizing drugs like levodopa, dopamine agonists, and others to manage symptoms and, in some cases, slow down disease progression. However, these treatments often lead to complications over time, such as motor fluctuations and dyskinesias, highlighting the need for precise dosage adjustments and sometimes combination therapies to optimize patient outcomes. Physical therapy plays a critical role in addressing the motor symptoms of PD, including bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, tremors, postural instability, and akinesia. PT techniques are tailored to improve mobility, balance, strength, and overall quality of life. Strategies such as gait and balance training, strengthening exercises, stretching, and functional training are employed to mitigate symptoms and enhance functional independence. Specialized approaches like proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), the Bobath concept, and the use of assistive devices are also integral to the rehabilitation process, aimed at improving patients' ability to perform daily activities and reducing the risk of falls. Innovations in technology have introduced robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) and other assistive devices, offering new possibilities for patient care. These tools provide targeted support and feedback, allowing for more intensive and personalized rehabilitation sessions. Despite these advancements, high costs and accessibility issues remain challenges that need addressing. The inclusion of exercise and activity beyond structured PT sessions is encouraged, with evidence suggesting that regular physical activity can have neuroprotective effects, potentially slowing disease progression. Activities such as treadmill walking, cycling, and aquatic exercises not only improve physical symptoms but also contribute to emotional well-being and social interactions. In conclusion, treating PD requires a holistic approach that combines medical, surgical, and therapeutic strategies. While there is no cure, the goal is to maximize patients' functional abilities and quality of life through personalized treatment plans. This integrated approach, along with ongoing research and development of new therapies, offers hope for improving the management of PD and the lives of those affected by this challenging disease.

Physical exercise and its effects on people with Parkinson's disease: Umbrella review

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease is neurodegenerative, complex and progressive, manifesting in a slow and irreversible way. Physical exercise has been proposed as therapeutic alternative to people with Parkinson´s disease.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize knowledge about the effects of physical exercise on people with Parkinson´s Disease as presented by published systematic reviews.

METHODS

Nine electronic databases and two grey literature databases were searched for systematic reviews reporting the effects of physical exercises on people with Parkinson´s Disease. Searches involved a two-phase process, by, at least, two independent reviewers. Methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR-2.

RESULTS

From 2,122 systematic reviews, 139 were included. Motor outcomes were assessed in 91% of the studies, with balance being the most studied. Non-motor outcomes were assessed in 68% of the studies, with emphasis on quality of life. Physical exercises were classified into five categories: aerobic exercises, strength, combined, sensorimotor activities and other activity protocols. Findings of the systematic reviews suggest that all exercise categories can be prescribed to improve balance and mobility, while combined exercises, strength, and specific activities improve both motor and non-motor outcomes, and aerobic exercise and sensorimotor activities improve motor outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence from systematic reviews suggests that physical exercises impacts both motor and non-motor outcomes in people with Parkinson´s Disease. Limits in evidence provided by the systematic reviews were related to methodological issues and to the description of the interventions and must be considered to improve decision-making and clinical application.

Exercise effects on motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillatory activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease: Randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Exercise protocols are promising interventions to improve PD symptoms, however, the best modality and its neural correlates are still unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of the aerobic, strength and task-oriented upper-limb exercises in motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillations of individuals with PD.

METHOD

In this clinical trial, 44 PD patients aged 40-80 years will be randomized in four groups: aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST), task-oriented training (TOT), and waiting list group (CG). The AT group will perform 30 min of a cycle ergometer on 50%-70% of the reserve heart rate. The ST group will use equipment for upper limb muscles and will perform two series of 8-12 repetitions for each exercise, and intensity between 50% and 70% of one maximum repetition will be used. The TOT group will perform a program consisting of three activities to enhance reaching, grasping, and manipulation. All the groups will perform three sessions per week for 8 weeks. We will use the UPDRS Motor function section, Nine-Hole Peg Test, and quantitative electroencephalography to measure motor function, manual dexterity, and brain oscillations, respectively. ANOVA and regression models will be used to compare outcomes within and between groups.

Rhythmic cueing, dance, resistance training, and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize evidence associated with the functional and clinical effectiveness of rhythmic cueing, dance, or resistance training (RT) on motor and non-motor parameters in Parkinson's Disease patients, and to provide a comparative perspective not offered by existing systematic reviews.

Methodology

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies retained no restrictions in methodological design and included interventions of rhythmic cueing, dance, RT, and measurements of motor and non-motor parameters. Animal studies, reviews, editorials, conferences, magazines, and gray literature articles were excluded. Two independent investigators searched Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus from the date of their inception until 1 June 2021. The ROBINS-I tool was employed for the non-randomized controlled trials, and the updated for Risk of Bias 2 tool of Cochrane Library used for randomized controlled trials. For meta-analyses, the RevMan 5.4.13 software was used. For incompatible meta-analysis studies, a narrative data synthesis was conducted.

Results

A total of 49 studies included in the systematic review involving 3767 PD participants. Meta-analyses revealed that rhythmic cueing training assists gait velocity (p = 0.01), stride length (p = 0.01), and motor symptoms (p = 0.03). Similarly, dance training benefits stride length (p = 0.05), lower extremity function-TUG (p = 0.01), and motor symptoms (p = 0.01), whilst RT improves lower extremity function-TUG (p = 0.01), quality of life (p = 0.01), knee flexion (p = 0.02), and leg press (p = 0.01). Subgroup analyses have shown non-significant differences in gait velocity (p = 0.26), stride length (p = 0.80), functional mobility-TUG (p = 0.74), motor symptoms-UPDRS-III (p = 0.46), and quality of life-PDQ39 (p = 0.44).

Conclusion

Rhythmic cueing, dance, or RT positively affect the examined outcomes, with rhythmic cueing to be associated with three outcomes (Gait, Stride, and UPDRS-III), dance with three outcomes (TUG, Stride, and UPDRS-III), and RT with two outcomes (TUG and PDQ-39). Subgroup analyses confirmed the beneficial effects of these forms of exercise. Clinicians should entertain the idea of more holistic exercise protocols aiming at improving PD manifestations.International Prospective Register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) (registration number: CRD42020212380).

The impact of aerobic and resistance training intensity on markers of neuroplasticity in health and disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of low- vs. high-intensity aerobic and resistance training on motor and cognitive function, brain activation, brain structure, and neurochemical markers of neuroplasticity and the association thereof in healthy young and older adults and in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

DESIGN

Systematic review and robust variance estimation meta-analysis with meta-regression.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases.

RESULTS

Fifty studies with 60 intervention arms and 2283 in-analyses participants were included. Due to the low number of studies, the three patient groups were combined and analyzed as a single group. Overall, low- (g=0.19, p = 0.024) and high-intensity exercise (g=0.40, p = 0.001) improved neuroplasticity. Exercise intensity scaled with neuroplasticity only in healthy young adults but not in healthy older adults or patient groups. Exercise-induced improvements in neuroplasticity were associated with changes in motor but not cognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intensity is an important variable to dose and individualize the exercise stimulus for healthy young individuals but not necessarily for healthy older adults and neurological patients. This conclusion warrants caution because studies are needed that directly compare the effects of low- vs. high-intensity exercise on neuroplasticity to determine if such changes are mechanistically and incrementally linked to improved cognition and motor function.

Effects of Resistance Training on Motor- and Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous reviews indicated positive effects of resistance training (RT) on motor outcomes in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, inconsistencies between the included studies exist, and non-motor outcomes have only scarcely been considered in a review on RT in PD.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the RT effects on motor- and non-motor outcomes in PD patients compared to passive and physically active control groups (i.e., other structured physical interventions).

METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials of RT in PD. After identifying 18 studies, a meta-analysis was conducted for the outcomes muscle strength, motor impairment, freezing of gait (FoG), mobility and balance, quality of life (QoL), depression, cognition, and adverse events. Meta-analyses with random models were calculated using mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

When comparing RT with passive control groups, the meta-analyses showed significant large effects on muscle strength (SMD = -0.84, 95% CI -1.29--0.39, p = 0.0003), motor impairment (SMD = -0.81, 95% CI -1.34--0.27, p = 0.003), mobility and balance (MD = -1.81, 95% CI -3.13--0.49, p = 0.007), and small significant effects on QoL (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI -0.86--0.10, p = 0.01). RT compared with physically active control groups reached no significant results for any outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

RT improves muscle strength, motor impairment, mobility and balance, QoL, and depression in PD patients. However, it is not superior to other physically active interventions. Therefore, exercise is important for PD patients but according to this analysis, its type is of secondary interest.

Functional relevance of resistance training-induced neuroplasticity in health and disease

Repetitive, monotonic, and effortful voluntary muscle contractions performed for just a few weeks, i.e., resistance training, can substantially increase maximal voluntary force in the practiced task and can also increase gross motor performance. The increase in motor performance is often accompanied by neuroplastic adaptations in the central nervous system. While historical data assigned functional relevance to such adaptations induced by resistance training, this claim has not yet been systematically and critically examined in the context of motor performance across the lifespan in health and disease. A review of muscle activation, brain and peripheral nerve stimulation, and imaging data revealed that increases in motor performance and neuroplasticity tend to be uncoupled, making a mechanistic link between neuroplasticity and motor performance inconclusive. We recommend new approaches, including causal mediation analytical and hypothesis-driven models to substantiate the functional relevance of resistance training-induced neuroplasticity in the improvements of gross motor function across the lifespan in health and disease.

Lower Limb Resistance Training in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: Initial randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and recently released systematic reviews have identified resistance training (RT) as a modality to manage motor symptoms and improve physical functioning in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), although the effects are inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to reassess the evidence of the relationship.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of studies reporting the effects of RT in PD available through major electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang) through 20 July 2020. Eligible RCTs were screened based on established inclusion criteria. We extracted data on the indicators of leg strength, balance, gait capacity, and quality of life (QoL) of lower limbs. Random and fixed effects models were used for the analysis of standard mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Thirty-one papers from 25 independent trials compromising 1,239 subjects were selected for eligibility in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Summarized data indicated that the leg strength increased statistically significant in PD patients (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI 0.3, 1.27, P = 0.001), the balance capability was improved statistically significant in PD patients (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.01, 0.66, P = 0.04), and QoL statistically significantly improved (MD = −7.22, 95% CI −12.05, −2.39, P = 0.003). For gait performance, four indicators were measured, the results as follows: fast gait velocity (MD = 0.14, 95% CI 0.06, 0.23, P = 0.001), Timed-up-and-go-test (TUG, MD = −1.17, 95% CI −2.27, −0.08, P = 0.04) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q, MD = −1.74, 95% CI −3.18, −0.3, P = 0.02) were improved statistically significant across trials, while there were no statistically significant improvement in stride length (MD = −0.05, 95% CI −0.12, 0.02, P = 0.15) in PD patients.

Conclusions: Lower limb RT has positive effects during rehabilitation in individuals with PD in leg strength, QoL, and improve gait performance to a certain extent. RT also could improve balance capacity of patients, although a wide variety of tools were used, and further study is needed to confirm these findings.

Evidence of Rehabilitative Impact of Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) Programs in Parkinson Disease: An Umbrella Review

Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition that leads to progressive disability. PD-related reductions in muscle strength have been reported to be associated with lower functional performance and balance confidence with an increased risk of falls. Progressive resistance training (PRT) improves strength, balance, and functional abilities. This umbrella review examines the efficacy of PRT regarding muscular strength in PD patients. The PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from January 2009 to August 2019 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted in English. The populations included had diagnoses of PD and consisted of males and females aged >18 years old. Outcomes measured were muscle strength and enhanced physical function. Eight papers (six systematic reviews and meta-analyses and two systematic reviews) were considered relevant for qualitative analysis. In six of the eight studies, the reported severity of PD was mild to moderate. Each study analyzed how PRT elicited positive effects on muscle strength in PD patients, suggesting 10 weeks on average of progressive resistance exercises for the upper and lower limbs two to three times per week. However, none of the studies considered the postworkout follow-up, and there was no detailed evidence about the value of PRT in preventing falls. The possibility of PRT exercises being effective for increasing muscle strength in patients with PD, but without comorbidities or severe disability, is discussed. Overall, this review suggests that PRT should be included in rehabilitation programs for PD patients, in combination with balance training for postural control and other types of exercise, in order to preserve cardiorespiratory fitness and improve endurance in daily life activities.

Balance and fear of falling in subjects with Parkinson's disease is improved after exercises with motor complexity

Resistance training with instability (RTI) uses exercises with high motor complexity that impose high postural control and cognitive demands that may be important for improving postural instability and fear of falling in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we hypothesized that: 1) RTI will be more effective than resistance training (RT) in improving balance (Balance Evaluation Systems Test [BESTest] and overall stability index [Biodex Balance System^®]) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I] score) of subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD); and 2) changes in BESTest and FES-I after RTI will be associated with changes in cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score - previously published) induced by RTI. Thirty-nine subjects with moderate PD were randomly assigned to a nonexercising control, RT, and RTI groups. While RT and RTI groups performed progressive RT twice a week for 12 weeks, the RTI group added progressive unstable devices to increase motor complexity of the resistance exercises. There were significant group × time interactions for BESTest, overall stability index, and FES-I scores (P < 0.05). Only RTI improved BESTest, overall stability index and FES-I scores, and RTI was more effective than RT in improving biomechanical constraints and stability in gait (BESTest sections) at post-training (P < 0.05). There were strong correlations between relative changes in BESTest and MoCA (r = 0.72, P = 0.005), and FES-I and MoCA (r = -0.75, P = 0.003) after RTI. Due to the increased motor complexity in RTI, RTI is recommended for improving balance and fear of falling, which are associated with improvement in cognitive function of PD.

Factors Contributing to Perceived Walking Difficulties in People with Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

While walking difficulties are common in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), little is known about factors that independently contribute to their perceived walking difficulties.

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that independently contribute to perceived walking difficulties in people with PD.

METHODS

This study involved 243 (62% men) participants; their mean (min-max) age and PD duration were 70 (45-93) and 8 (1-43) years, respectively. A postal survey preceded a home visit that included observations, clinical tests, questions and questionnaires that were administered as a structured interview. Perceived walking difficulties (dependent variable) were assessed with the self-administered generic Walk-12 (Walk-12G, scored 0-42, higher = worse). Independent variables included personal (e.g., age and general self-efficacy) and social environmental factors (e.g., social support and living situation) as well as disease-related factors including motor (e.g., freezing of gait (FOG) and postural instability) and non-motor symptoms (e.g., fatigue and orthostatic hypotension). Linear multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors that independently contributed to perceived walking difficulties.

RESULTS

Eight significant independent variables explained 56.3% of the variance in perceived walking difficulties. FOG was the strongest significant contributing factor to perceived walking difficulties, followed by general self-efficacy, fatigue, PD duration, lower extremity function, orthostatic hypotension, bradykinesia and postural instability.

CONCLUSION

Motor and non-motor symptoms as well as personal factors (i.e., general self-efficacy) seem to be of importance for perceived walking difficulties in PD. These findings might nurture future interventions that address modifiable factors in order to enhance walking ability in people with PD.

Positive Effects of Specific Exercise and Novel Turning-based Treadmill Training on Turning Performance in Individuals with Parkinson's disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Two different training strategies to improve turning performance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) were designed and investigated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to a specific exercise group, turning-based training group, or control group to receive training that emphasized balance and strengthening, turning-based treadmill training, and general exercise training, respectively. A total of 12 30-min training sessions followed by 10 min of turning training on a level surface were administered over 4 to 6 weeks. The results (n = 12 for each group) showed that both the specific exercise and turning-based training group experienced improved turning performance, the primary outcome, compared with the control group (specific exercise, 33% change, p = 0.016; turning-based training, 35% change, p = 0.021). For the secondary outcomes, the specific exercise group performed better than the control group on the Tinetti balance scale, limit of stability test and lower extremity extensor and abductor strength. The turning-based training groups performed better than the control group in sensory organization and ankle plantar flexor strength. In summary, specific exercise training and turning-based treadmill training were both effective in improving turning performance in participants with PD. However, the improvements in turning performance of these two groups resulted from improving different aspects of impairment in individuals with PD.

Concurrent transcranial direct current stimulation and progressive resistance training in Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) results from a loss of dopamine in the brain, leading to movement dysfunctions such as bradykinesia, postural instability, resting tremor and muscle rigidity. Furthermore, dopamine deficiency in PD has been shown to result in maladaptive plasticity of the primary motor cortex (M1). Progressive resistance training (PRT) is a popular intervention in PD that improves muscular strength and results in clinically significant improvements on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). In separate studies, the application of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) to the M1 has been shown to improve motor function in PD; however, the combined use of tDCS and PRT has not been investigated.

METHODS/DESIGN

We propose a 6-week, double-blind randomised controlled trial combining M1 tDCS and PRT of the lower body in participants (n = 42) with moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr scale score 2-4). Supervised lower body PRT combined with functional balance tasks will be performed three times per week with concurrent a-tDCS delivered at 2 mA for 20 minutes (a-tDCS group) or with sham tDCS (sham group). Control participants will receive standard care (control group). Outcome measures will include functional strength, gait speed and variability, balance, neurophysiological function at rest and during movement execution, and the UPDRS motor subscale, measured at baseline, 3 weeks (during), 6 weeks (post), and 9 weeks (retention). Ethical approval has been granted by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (project number 2015-014), and the trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615001241527).

DISCUSSION

This will be the first randomised controlled trial to combine PRT and a-tDCS targeting balance and gait in people with PD. The study will elucidate the functional, clinical and neurophysiological outcomes of combined PRT and a-tDCS. It is hypothesised that combined PRT and a-tDCS will significantly improve lower limb strength, postural sway, gait speed and stride variability compared with PRT with sham tDCS. Further, we hypothesise that pre-frontal cortex activation during dual-task cognitive and gait/balance activities will be reduced, and that M1 excitability and inhibition will be augmented, following the combined PRT and a-tDCS intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615001241527 . Registered on 12 November 2015.

Human behavioral assessments in current research of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is traditionally classified as a movement disorder because patients mainly complain about motor symptoms. Recently, non-motor symptoms of PD have been recognized by clinicians and scientists as early signs of PD, and they are detrimental factors in the quality of life in advanced PD patients. It is crucial to comprehensively understand the essence of behavioral assessments, from the simplest measurement of certain symptoms to complex neuropsychological tasks. We have recently reviewed behavioral assessments in PD research with animal models (Asakawa et al., 2016). As a companion volume, this article will systematically review the behavioral assessments of motor and non-motor PD symptoms of human patients in current research. The major aims of this article are: (1) promoting a comparative understanding of various behavioral assessments in terms of the principle and measuring indexes; (2) addressing the major strengths and weaknesses of these behavioral assessments for a better selection of tasks/tests in order to avoid biased conclusions due to inappropriate assessments; and (3) presenting new concepts regarding the development of wearable devices and mobile internet in future assessments. In conclusion we emphasize the importance of improving the assessments for non-motor symptoms because of their complex and unique mechanisms in human PD brains.

The Effect of Two Different Cognitive Tests on Gait Parameters during Dual Tasks in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

INTRODUCTION

The paper aims to evaluate the influence of two different demanding cognitive tasks on gait parameters using BTS SMART system analysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised 53 postmenopausal women aged 64.5 ± 6.7 years (range: 47-79). For every subject, gait analysis using a BTS SMART system was performed in a dual-task study design under three conditions: (I) while walking only (single task), (II) walking while performing a simultaneous simple cognitive task (SCT) (dual task), and (III) walking while performing a simultaneous complex cognitive task (CCT) (dual task). Time-space parameters of gait pertaining to the length of a single support phase, double support phase, gait speed, step length, step width, and leg swing speed were analyzed.

RESULTS

Performance of cognitive tests during gait resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of the left (by 7%) and right (by 7%) foot gait cycle, shortening of the length of steps made with the right extremity (by 4%), reduction of speed of swings made with the left (by 11%) and right (by 8%) extremity, and reduction in gait speed (by 6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Performance of cognitive tests during gait changes its individual pattern in relation to the level of the difficulty of the task.

Machine learning classification of medication adherence in patients with movement disorders using non-wearable sensors

Medication non-adherence is a major concern in the healthcare industry and has led to increases in health risks and medical costs. For many neurological diseases, adherence to medication regimens can be assessed by observing movement patterns. However, physician observations are typically assessed based on visual inspection of movement and are limited to clinical testing procedures. Consequently, medication adherence is difficult to measure when patients are away from the clinical setting. The authors propose a data mining driven methodology that uses low cost, non-wearable multimodal sensors to model and predict patients' adherence to medication protocols, based on variations in their gait. The authors conduct a study involving Parkinson's disease patients that are "on" and "off" their medication in order to determine the statistical validity of the methodology. The data acquired can then be used to quantify patients' adherence while away from the clinic. Accordingly, this data-driven system may allow for early warnings regarding patient safety. Using whole-body movement data readings from the patients, the authors were able to discriminate between PD patients on and off medication, with accuracies greater than 97% for some patients using an individually customized model and accuracies of 78% for a generalized model containing multiple patient gait data. The proposed methodology and study demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of using low cost, non-wearable hardware and data mining models to monitor medication adherence outside of the traditional healthcare facility. These innovations may allow for cost effective, remote monitoring of treatment of neurological diseases.

Resistance versus Balance Training to Improve Postural Control in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Rater Blinded Controlled Study

Background

Reduced muscle strength is an independent risk factor for falls and related to postural instability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The ability of resistance training to improve postural control still remains unclear.

Objective

To compare resistance training with balance training to improve postural control in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

40 patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn&Yahr: 2.5–3.0) were randomly assigned into resistance or balance training (2x/week for 7 weeks). Assessments were performed at baseline, 8- and 12-weeks follow-up: primary outcome: Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale; secondary outcomes: center of mass analysis during surface perturbations, Timed-up-and-go-test, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, gait analysis, maximal isometric leg strength, PDQ-39, Beck Depression Inventory. Clinical tests were videotaped and analysed by a second rater, blind to group allocation and assessment time.

Results

32 participants (resistance training: n = 17, balance training: n = 15; 8 drop-outs) were analyzed at 8-weeks follow-up. No significant difference was found in the FAB scale when comparing the effects of the two training types (p = 0.14; effect size (Cohen’s d) = -0.59). Participants from the resistance training group, but not from the balance training group significantly improved on the FAB scale (resistance training: +2.4 points, Cohen’s d = -0.46; balance training: +0.3 points, Cohen’s d = -0.08). Within the resistance training group, improvements of the FAB scale were significantly correlated with improvements of rate of force development and stride time variability. No significant differences were found in the secondary outcome measures when comparing the training effects of both training types.

Conclusions

The difference between resistance and balance training to improve postural control in people with Parkinson’s disease was small and not significant with this sample size. There was weak evidence that freely coordinated resistance training might be more effective than balance training. Our results indicate a relationship between the enhancement of rate of force development and the improvement of postural control.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02253563

Effects of Resistance Training on Measures of Muscular Strength in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the overall effect of resistance training (RT) on measures of muscular strength in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

Controlled trials with parallel-group-design were identified from computerized literature searching and citation tracking performed until August 2014. Two reviewers independently screened for eligibility and assessed the quality of the studies using the Cochrane risk-of-bias-tool. For each study, mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for continuous outcomes based on between-group comparisons using post-intervention data. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on differences in study design.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria; all had a moderate to high risk of bias. Pooled data showed that knee extension, knee flexion and leg press strength were significantly greater in PD patients who undertook RT compared to control groups with or without interventions. Subgroups were: RT vs. control-without-intervention, RT vs. control-with-intervention, RT-with-other-form-of-exercise vs. control-without-intervention, RT-with-other-form-of-exercise vs. control-with-intervention. Pooled subgroup analysis showed that RT combined with aerobic/balance/stretching exercise resulted in significantly greater knee extension, knee flexion and leg press strength compared with no-intervention. Compared to treadmill or balance exercise it resulted in greater knee flexion, but not knee extension or leg press strength. RT alone resulted in greater knee extension and flexion strength compared to stretching, but not in greater leg press strength compared to no-intervention.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the current evidence suggests that exercise interventions that contain RT may be effective in improving muscular strength in people with PD compared with no exercise. However, depending on muscle group and/or training dose, RT may not be superior to other exercise types. Interventions which combine RT with other exercise may be most effective. Findings should be interpreted with caution due to the relatively high risk of bias of most studies.