Effectiveness of 6-Week Nordic Walking Training on Functional Performance, Gait Quality, and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background and objectives: Motor rehabilitation improves physical mobility and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD). As specialized rehabilitation is expensive and resource-consuming, there is a need for simpler, cost-effective methods. The purpose of the study was to determine whether Nordic Walking (NW) training may support the management of motor disability in PD. Materials and Methods: Forty patients (median age 64.0 years, range 50–75 years) with idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages II–III, were randomly assigned to NW or standard rehabilitation (SR) programs, comprising twelve rehabilitation sessions conducted bi-weekly throughout the 6-week study period. Results: Median Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III scores were significantly reduced with NW, by 8.5, and with SR, by 6.0 points (both p < 0.001), with significantly greater improvement with NW than with SR (p = 0.047). Gait quality and balance control, measured using the Dynamic Gait Index, improved with NW by a median of 8.0 and with SR by 5.5 points (both p < 0.001), with slightly greater improvement with NW, compared to the SR group (p = 0.064). Quality of life, assessed using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), improved with NW by a median of 15 and with SR by 12 points, p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively. Conclusions: The 6-week Nordic Walking program improves functional performance, quality of gait, and quality of life in patients with PD and has comparable effectiveness to standard rehabilitation.

Isolation Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic in People Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and Activity, Self-Assessment of Physical Fitness and the Level of Affective Disorders

“…Similar observations were made by Shalash et al [17]. It is a bad prognosis for the continued well-being and functioning of PD patients, as the beneficial effects of exercise on health are well documented [18,19]. This also applies to the relationship between physical fitness and health self-assessment [20].…”

Effects of Nordic walking in people with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…In six investigations, participants had been living with the disease between 5.1 and 7.8 years (Cugusi et al, 2015; Ebersbach et al, 2010, 2014; Granziera et al, 2021; Monteiro et al, 2017; Passos‐Monteiro et al, 2020; Wróblewska et al, 2019). Szefler‐Derela et al (2020), reported the information as a median (NW group: 6 years; Control Group: 5 years), minimum and maximum (NW group: 3–18 years; Control Group: 2–14 years). Three publications informed about disease's duration in months, with a reported range between 17.98 to 71.98 months) (Antunes Marques et al, 2019; Bang & Shin, 2017; Reuter et al, 2011).…”

“…Table 3 shows the intervention characteristics of the included publications. In a total of 10 studies, NW was compared against other interventions (walking, LSVT®BIG, domestic training, flexibility and relaxation training, standard rehabilitation) (Antunes Marques et al, 2019; Bang & Shin, 2017; Ebersbach et al, 2010, 2014; Franzoni et al, 2018; Granziera et al, 2021; Monteiro et al, 2017; Passos‐Monteiro et al, 2020; Reuter et al, 2011; Szefler‐Derela et al, 2020).…”

“…A total of seven studies analysed the impact of NW on global motor impairment using the UPDRS‐III scale (Bang & Shin, 2017; Cugusi et al, 2015; Granziera et al, 2021; Monteiro et al, 2017; Reuter et al, 2011; Szefler‐Derela et al, 2020). Six of them contrasted the efficacy of NW against other interventions, and all investigations reported significant improvements.…”

“…Low risk was reported in all studies in the item 'Selective reporting'. Bang & Shin, 2017;Ebersbach et al, 2010Ebersbach et al, , 2014Franzoni et al, 2018;Granziera et al, 2021;Monteiro et al, 2017;Passos-Monteiro et al, 2020;Reuter et al, 2011;Szefler-Derela et al, 2020).…”