A Rehabilitative Approach in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

University of Roma La Sapienza

Status: Completed

Conditions: Parkinson's Disease

Treatments: Other: Mézières Method; Other: Home based exercise program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02891473

2519/15

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitative approach using breathing and relaxation techniques, and specifically the elongation of the latissimus dorsi muscle according to the Mézières Method to improve balance and posture and relief pain in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis od idiopathic Parkinson's disease (according to UK Brain Bank Criteria), Hoehn-Yahr stage ≤3 (determined during "on phase"), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) > or = 27, no rehabilitation treatment carried out within 3 months prior to the study, diagnosis of Parkinson's disease by at least 5 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Dyskinesias
• Severe fluctuations "on-off"
• Modifications of anti-Parkinsonian drug therapy during the three months prior to the start of the study)
• Sensitivity deficit of the trunk or lower extremities (physical examination)
• Vestibular disorders or paroxysmal vertigo
• Previous thoracic or abdominal surgery
• Other neurological or orthopedic conditions involving the trunk or lower extremities (musculoskeletal diseases, severe osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathy, prosthetic surgery)
• Cardiovascular comorbidities (recent myocardial infarction, heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, orthostatic hypotension)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

Mézières Method group

Experimental group

Description:

Sessions of exercises for the recovery of midline symmetry, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, stretching of the latissimus dorsi respecting the global elongation according to the Mézières Method.

Treatment:

Other: Mézières Method

Home based exercise program group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Sessions of home based exercises performed by the patients at their domicile after a training session about the exercise program made by a physiotherapy. The exercises aimed at promoting trunk control in static and dynamic position according to the specific guidelines for Parkinson's disease and proprioceptive exercises for the recovery of balance. An illustrated exercises booklet was given to the patient.

Treatment:

Other: Home based exercise program