Category: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials
Objective: In the current study, we assessed the effect of a multisession training program based on unpredictable AP and ML perturbations of body balance on persistence and generalization of postural response gains in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and freezing of gait (FoG).
Background: Perturbation-based balance training (PBBT) is an intervention that repeatedly exposes participants to sudden balance perturbations aiming to improve reactive postural responses. Information on the effects of PBBT in individuals suffering from the FoG due to Parkinson’s disease is scarce.
Method: Individuals with FoG were pseudorandomly assigned either to a PBBT (n = 9) or to a strength training (ST, n = 10) group. PBBT was implemented through balance perturbations varying in kind, direction, and magnitude of support base displacements. Both groups exercised progressive difficulty/load activities twice a week for 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were variables derived from the center of pressure (CoP) displacement response to unpredictable platform displacements. Gains from baseline were evaluated after 24 h ensuring the end of the training, with a retention follow-up after one month of rest.
Results: PBBT led to decreased CoP displacement and velocity values and time to revert CoP displacement. Stability gains in response to mediolateral perturbations persisted over the rest interval of 30 days; numbers of near-falls were also reduced from PBBT. Absent transfer either to a dual-task or faster than trained support base displacements. Both training modalities seem to have reduced the frequency of freezing of gait events in daily living.
Conclusion: A training program based exclusively on balance perturbations improved stability of reactive postural responses to unpredictable displacements of the support base in individuals with FoG. Results suggest the high potential therapeutic applicability of PBBT.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
DB. Coelho, C. Ribeiro Souza, J. ávila Oliveira, L. Rezende, P. Takazono, C. Silva-Batista, L. Teixeira. Perturbation-based balance training in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2022; 37 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/perturbation-based-balance-training-in-individuals-with-parkinsons-disease-and-freezing-of-gait/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2022 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/perturbation-based-balance-training-in-individuals-with-parkinsons-disease-and-freezing-of-gait/