Pilot safety and feasibility study of treadmill aerobic exercise in Parkinson disease with gait impairment

This pilot study evaluated the safety and feasibility of a 3-month progressive treadmill aerobic exercise (TM-AEX) program for persons with Parkinson disease with gait impairment. Eight subjects underwent a treadmill stress test to determine eligibility. Of these subjects, three were referred for fu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2008-01, Vol.45 (1), p.117-124
Main Authors: Skidmore, Frank M, Patterson, Shawnna L, Shulman, Lisa M, Sorkin, John D, Macko, Richard F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Aged
Exercise - physiology
Exercise Test
Exercise Therapy - methods
Feasibility Studies
Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic - rehabilitation
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation
Parkinson's disease
Physical fitness
Pilot Projects
Postural Balance
Sample size
Sports medicine
Statistics, Nonparametric
Treatment Outcome
Walking
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Summary:This pilot study evaluated the safety and feasibility of a 3-month progressive treadmill aerobic exercise (TM-AEX) program for persons with Parkinson disease with gait impairment. Eight subjects underwent a treadmill stress test to determine eligibility. Of these subjects, three were referred for further cardiac evaluation and five were enrolled. In 136 TM-AEX sessions, 11 falls or near falls and 9 episodes (8 asymptomatic) of systolic blood pressure drops >20 mmHg occurred. Harness supports prevented injury from falls. TM-AEX significantly improved the subjects' total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores and peak ambulatory workload capacities. This study suggests that an aerobic exercise program is feasible for persons who have Parkinson disease with gait impairment; however, precautions must be taken to prevent falls. Systolic blood pressure instability during exercise points to the need for autonomic dysfunction monitoring. Our data indicate that TM-AEX may reduce symptom severity and improve fitness. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of the risks and benefits of TM-AEX in this population.
ISSN:0748-7711
1938-1352
DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2006.10.0130