Effects of different percentages of body weight-supported treadmill training in Parkinson’s disease: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background/aim: Body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) might have greater effects than conventional treadmill training(TT) in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different percentagesof BWSTT on gait, balance, quality of life, and fatigue in PD.Materials and methods: Thirty-five patients with moderate to advanced PD were randomized into three BWSTT groups according tothe supported percentage of body weight: 0% BWSTT (control group; unsupported TT), 10% BWSTT, or 20% BWSTT. Five patientswere excluded due to early discharge and 30 patients completed BWSTT sessions lasting 30 min, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks during theirinpatient rehabilitation stay. The primary outcome was 6-min walk distance (6MWD). Secondary outcomes were Unified Parkinson’sDisease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Fatigue Impact Scale, and Fatigue SeverityScale scores. Measurements were performed before and after the training.Results: The unsupported TT group demonstrated no significant improvement in the outcome measures after a 6-week training exceptfor BBS and NHP emotional subscores. Moreover, the NHP pain subscore increased in the unsupported TT group after training. The10% and 20% supported BWSTT groups demonstrated significant improvements in 6MWD (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively),UPDRS - motor score (P = 0.012 and P = 0.005, respectively), NHP pain subscore (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), and fatigue (P= 0.005 for both) after training. The 20% BWSTT provided the highest improvement in balance among the three groups (P < 0.001) andgreater relief of fatigue than 10% BWSTT (P = 0.002).Conclusion: Six weeks of BWSTT improved walking distance and balance ability, relieved fatigue, and additionally reduced pain inpatients with moderate to advanced PD.