A feasibility study of dual-task strategy training to improve gait performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Gait disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) impact their mobility and self-dependence. Gait training and dual-task (DT)-training improve gait quality. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a specific, gradually intensified DT-training for PD patients with a special focus on gait...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2021-06, Vol.11 (1), p.12416-12416, Article 12416
Main Authors: Wollesen, Bettina, Rudnik, Silvan, Gulberti, Alessandro, Cordes, Thomas, Gerloff, Christian, Poetter-Nerger, Monika
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/443/7
692/699/375
Correlation analysis
Feasibility studies
Gait
Humanities and Social Sciences
Movement disorders
multidisciplinary
Neurodegenerative diseases
Parkinson's disease
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Training
Velocity
Well being
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Summary:Gait disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) impact their mobility and self-dependence. Gait training and dual-task (DT)-training improve gait quality. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a specific, gradually intensified DT-training for PD patients with a special focus on gait performance under single task (ST) and DT conditions. Correlations to Freezing of Gait (FoG) were examined. 17 PD patients (70.1 ± 7.4 years, H&Y Stadium 2–3, FoG-Q 9.0 ± 5.5) participated in a four-week DT-training (1x/week, 60 min) with progressively increasing task difficulty and number of tasks. Gait performance (spatiotemporal parameters) was assessed during ST and DT conditions. The training improved DT gait performance, especially gait velocity + 0.11 m/s; (F (2,16)  = 7.163; p  = .0171; η 2 part = .309) and step length (+ 5.73 cm). Also, physical well-being and absolved walking distance improved significantly. Correlation analyses of the FoG score at baseline with relative change of gait metrics post-training revealed significant correlations with training-induced changes of step length and improvement of gait velocity. Overall, the developed DT-training was feasible and effective. Further studies should examine the long-term benefits and the optimal setting to achieve the highest impact. The study was registered in the DRKS (ID DRKS00018084, 23.1.20).
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-91858-0