Motor Adaptation to Split-Belt Treadmill in Parkinson's Disease

Catholic University (KU) of Leuven

Status: Completed

Conditions: Freezing of Gait; Parkinson Disease

Treatments: Behavioral: Split-Belt Treadmill Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03725215

S60876

Details and patient eligibility

About

Freezing of Gait (FOG) is a disabling symptom common in advanced Parkinson's Disease. FOG is an independent contributor to fall risk and is only partially relieved by medication. Parkinson's patients with FOG are known to have more difficulty with gait adaptation in their day to day environment. Further, asymmetry of gait has been implicated in FOG as these episodes are often elicited during asymmetric tasks such as turning. This study will examine the effect of a single session of split-belt treadmill walking on gait adaptation, gait symmetry and FOG as well as 24 hour retention of these effects.

Full description

In this proposal, the investigators will investigate whether adapting gait to modulations imposed by a split-belt treadmill, improves walking ability and reduces FOG. The investigators will test the hypothesis that motor adaptation deficits underlie FOG and that these problems are modifiable with training. To address these suppositions, the investigators propose a multi-centric study conducted in two research labs with expertise in split-belt gait analysis and FOG: University of Leuven (KUL) and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (CAUK). As freezers have been shown to have more difficulty with consolidation of motor learning, the investigators aim in study I (pilot phase) to first understand which split-belt parameters are optimal for training gait flexibility and lead to consolidated gains in daily walking. For this study, the investigators will recruit 60 freezers and 60 healthy controls, pooled across centers, and manipulate different split-belt conditions in one learning and retention session.

Enrollment: 81 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease as per the UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Criteria
• Classification as a Freezer with the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (score > 0)
• Ability to walk at least 5 min. without any aid
• Stable anti-parkinsonian medication at least 1 month prior to participation

Exclusion criteria

• Neurologic diseases other than PD
• Orthopedic injuries that could influence gait and balance
• Participation in treadmill training more than once a week
• Cognitive impairment (MMSE<24) or inability to follow test instructions
• Self-reported DBS-related postural or gait disturbances
• Cardiovascular risk factors
• Peripheral neuropathy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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81 participants in 4 patient groups

Split-Belt Treadmill Training 1:2

Experimental group

Description:

Split-Belt Training with a steady ratio of 1:2.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Split-Belt Treadmill Training

Split-Belt Treadmill Training 3:4

Experimental group

Description:

Split-Belt Training with a steady ratio of 3:4.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Split-Belt Treadmill Training

Split-Belt Treadmill Training Changing

Experimental group

Description:

Split-Belt Training with changing ratios between 3:4 to 1:2.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Split-Belt Treadmill Training

Split-Belt Treadmill Training Tied-Belt

Active Comparator group

Description:

Split-Belt Training with tied belts.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Split-Belt Treadmill Training