Effect of Endurance Training on Balance in Parkinson's Patients

Abstract Background: Postural instability and resulting falls are major factors determining quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Aim of Study: This study was to determine if there is an effect of endurance training on balance in idiopathic Parkinson's patients. Patients and Methods: A referred diagnosed twenty Par-kinson patients from both genders, with age ranged from (60- 65) years old, were randomly assigned to equal two groups: A study group and a control group. Control group received conventional physical therapy program (Wobble board training, ROM, stretching exercises and gait training). For 12 sessions every other day, each session for one hour and study group received endurance training exercises in addition to conven-tional physical therapy program as control group, each session for one and half hours (one hour conventional treatment and 30 minutes treadmill training). All patients were evaluated with Biodex Stability System (BSS) including dynamic limit of stability test, dynamic balance test and functional reach test pre and post-treatment. The study was done in out clinics and balance lab. of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo Uni-versity for one month. Results: This study revealed that there is a significant improvement in balance in both groups but there was no significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: This study concluded that four weeks of endurance training combined with conventional physical therapy program for every patient was effective physical therapy technique on balance impairment in Parkinson's patients.