Long-term Training Effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Gait in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

University of Toronto

Status: Completed

Conditions: Intermittent Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation; Continuous Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation

Treatments: Other: Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03316365

06-785

Details and patient eligibility

About

Falls are common among patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and are the biggest contributors to loss of independent living, long-term institutionalization, and increased mortality.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether an at-home based Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) gait training program will decrease the number of falls in persons with PD with a history of falling. We also evaluated changes in clinical and kinematic parameters used to assess fall risk in this population.

Sixty participants diagnosed with idiopathic PD with at least 2 falls in the past 12 months, were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group trained daily with RAS for 24 weeks. The control group also trained daily with RAS, but discontinued training between weeks 8 and 16. During treatment patients walked for 30 minutes in a home based environment with metronome-click embedded music. Changes in clinical and kinematic parameters were assessed at baseline, weeks 8, 16, and 24.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Hoehn & Yahr (HY) stage III or IV
• At least 2 falls in the past 12 months
• Stable antiparkinsonian medication regime
• Ability to ambulate independently for at least 50 m.

Exclusion criteria

• Other neurological or orthopedic conditions
• Medically diagnosed hearing loss
• Dementia (Mini Mental Status Exam score < 24).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Continuous RAS

Experimental group

Description:

The experimental group (continuous treatment) trained daily with RAS for 24 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)

Intermittent RAS

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group (intermittent treatment) trained with RAS for 8 weeks, discontinued training for 8 weeks, and resumed training with RAS for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)