ABSTRACT
Background:
Postural instability affects Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients’ postural control right from the early stages of the disease. The benefits of resistance training (RT) for balance and functional capacity have been described in the literature, but few studies have been conducted showing its effects on PD patients’ postural control.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of a three-month RT intervention on static posturography (SP) measurements and clinical functional balance assessment among PD patients.
Methods:
Seventy-four patients were randomly assigned to a three-month RT intervention consisting of using weightlifting machines at a gym (gym group) or RT consisting of using free weights and elastic bands (freew group), or to a control group. The participants were evaluated at baseline, three months and six months. We evaluated changes of SP measurements under eyes-open, eyes-closed and dual-task conditions (primary endpoint), along with motor performance and balance effects by means of clinical scales, dynamic posturography and perceptions of quality of life (secondary endpoints).
Results:
There were no significant interactions in SP measurements among the groups. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) motor scores decreased in both RT groups (p<0.05). Better perceived quality of life for the mobility domain was reported in the gym group while functional balance scores improved in the freew group, which were maintained at the six-month follow-up (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
This study was not able to detect changes in SP measurements following a three-month RT intervention. Both RT groups of PD patients showed improved motor performance, with positive balance effects in the freew group and better perceived quality of life in the gym group.
Keywords:
Resistance Training; Parkinson Disease; Postural Balance; Rehabilitation; Quality of Life
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Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials: patients recruitment and follow-up. Randomized, single-blinded clinical trial with three groups: Gym: resistance training with gym equipment group; FreeW: resistance training with free weights group; Control: control group.
Participants in the gym group performed resistance exercises using machines, which included lateral pulldown, back extension, seated row, seated chest press, abdominal crunch and leg press. The main objective was to recruit postural muscles, especially extensor trunk muscles with lower-limb stabilization to perform each exercise. Workloads were progressively increased by 5 to 10%. Participants in the freew group performed exercises aimed at recruiting the same muscle groups as in the gym group, which were: abdominals, paraspinal, middle trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid, quadriceps femoris, gluteal muscles and lower limbs. The training workload was increased through use of dumbbells, elastic bands and ankle weights. All participants were instructed not to perform the Valsalva maneuver during the movement phase, but to activate abdominal muscles during expiration.
