No abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a balance and strength training program could improve equilibrium and strength in persons with stage I-III Parkinsonism. Subjects were pre-tested on strength and balance (EquiTest) and randomized into either a treatment or a control group. The treatment subjects participated in 10 weeks of lower limb strength training and balance exercises designed to challenge a stable posture and increase limits of stability. Both groups were then posttested on balance, knee flexion, knee extension, and ankle inversion strength. Subjects who received strength and balance training demonstrated significantly improved equilibrium and modest gains in knee flexion and extension strength, while the control group showed no improvement in conditions of destabilizing balance environments and significant declines in strength. Results indicate that 10 weeks of balance and strength training lead to improved equilibrium by producing positive changes in two different control mechanisms. One, training altered the ability to control the motor system when vestibular cues had to be the primary source of reliable feedback; and two, training helped subjects to override faulty proprioceptive feedback and utilize reliable visual or vestibular cues.

Objective. To investigate possible neurobehavioral changes secondary to a mindfulness based intervention (MBI) training for individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). Background. In the context of complementary medicine, MBIs are increasingly being used for stress reduction and in patient populations coping with chronic illness. The use of alternative and complementary medicine may be higher in patients with chronic conditions such as PD. However, behavioral effects of mindfulness training in PD have not yet been reported in the literature and this points to an unmet need and warrants further examination. Methods. A total of 27 out of 30 PD patients completed a randomized controlled longitudinal trial. Questionnaires and the UPDRS I–IV were obtained at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Results. Significant changes after the MBI were found including a 5.5 point decrease on the UPDRS motor score, an increase of 0.79 points on Parkinson's disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) pain item, and a 3.15 point increase in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire observe facet. Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative analysis of neurobehavioral effects of MBI in PD.