Objective: To identify changes in gait speed and gait-related activities after an aquatic interval training physiotherapy program in individuals with PD.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that results in both motor and non-motor symptoms, including gait alterations [1]. In both assessment and physiotherapeutic intervention with therapeutic exercises, it is possible to contribute to functional care strategies and improvement of these symptoms, especially in the aquatic environment, in an integrative and complementary manner, alongside the treatment of individuals with PD [2,3].

Method: This is a quasi-experimental, quantitative, single-blind study with convenience sampling, approved by the Research Ethics Committee under CAEE: 39816320.1.0000.0102. Gait speed was assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test [4], and gait-related activities were evaluated using the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) [5]. The intervention was conducted twice a week for 12 weeks, consisting of 20 minutes of gait training, followed by 20 to 30 minutes of interval aerobic training on underwater bicycles, and 10 minutes of cool-down (following Ai Chi method patterns).

Results: Eight participants (seven men and one woman) were evaluated, with a mean age of 63 ± 8.62 years, and PD staging according to the Hoehn & Yahr (HY) scale ranging from 1 to 3 (HY1 (n=2); HY2 (n=4); HY3 (n=2)). There was an increase in habitual gait speed by 0.15 m/s (from 1.17 m/s to 1.32 m/s), an increase in maximum gait speed by 0.12 m/s (from 1.55 m/s to 1.67 m/s), and an improvement in the DGI score from 20.5 to 21.6 points after the intervention.

Conclusion: Aquatic interval training in individuals with PD led to clinically detectable changes of moderate importance [6] in habitual gait speed, as well as improvements in maximum gait speed and DGI scores.

References: 1. POSTUMA, R. B. et al. MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders, v. 30, n. 12, p. 1591–1601, 2015. Wiley. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 16/9/2024.
2. CARROLL, L. M.; VOLPE, D.; MORRIS, M. E.; SAUNDERS, J.; CLIFFORD, A. M. Aquatic Exercise Therapy for People With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, v. 98, n. 4, p. 631–638, 2017. Elsevier BV. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 10/2/2025.
3. NI, M.; HAZZARD, J. B.; SIGNORILE, J. F.; LUCA, C. Exercise Guidelines for Gait Function in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, v. 32, n. 10, p. 872–886, 2018. SAGE Publications. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 10/2/2025.
4. NASCIMENTO L. R. et al. Different instructions during the ten-meter walking test determined significant increases in maximum gait speed in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. Rev Bras Fisioter, v.15, 2011.
5. CASTRO, S.; PERRACINI, M. R.; GANANÇA, F. F. Versão brasileira do Dynamic Gait Index. Revista Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia, v. 72, n. 6, p. 817–825, 2006. Sociedade Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 10/2/2025.
6. HASS, C. J. et al. Defining the clinically meaningful difference in gait speed in persons with Parkinson disease. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, v. 38, n. 4, p. 233–238, 2014.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/aquatic-interval-training-in-individuals-with-parkinsons-disease-can-it-improve-gait/