Title | Rhythmic auditory stimulation for reduction of falls in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Thaut MH, Rice RR, Janzen TBraun, Hurt-Thaut CP, McIntosh GC |
Journal | Clin Rehabil |
Volume | 33 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 34-43 |
Date Published | 2019 Jan |
ISSN | 1477-0873 |
Keywords | Accidental Falls, Acoustic Stimulation, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomechanical Phenomena, Exercise Therapy, Fear, Female, Gait, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Music Therapy, Parkinson Disease, Research Design |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE:: To test whether rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) training reduces the number of falls in Parkinson's disease patients with a history of frequent falls. DESIGN:: Randomized withdrawal study design. SUBJECTS:: A total of 60 participants (aged 62-82 years) diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages III or IV) with at least two falls in the past 12 months. INTERVENTION:: Participants were randomly allocated to two groups and completed 30 minutes of daily home-based gait training with metronome click-embedded music. The experimental group completed 24 weeks of RAS training, whereas the control group discontinued RAS training between weeks 8 and 16. MAIN MEASURES:: Changes in clinical and kinematic parameters were assessed at baseline, weeks 8, 16, and 24. RESULTS:: Both groups improved significantly at week 8. At week 16-after the control group had discontinued training-significant differences between groups emerged including a rise in the fall index for the control group ( M = 10, SD = 6). Resumption of training reduced the number of falls so that group differences were no longer significant at week 24 ( M = 3, SD = 2.6; M = 5, SD = 4.4; P > 0.05). Bilateral ankle dorsiflexion was significantly correlated with changes in gait, fear of falling, and the fall index, indicating ankle flexion as a potential kinematic mechanism RAS addresses to reduce falls. CONCLUSION:: RAS training significantly reduced the number of falls in Parkinson's disease and modified key gait parameters, such as velocity and stride length. |
DOI | 10.1177/0269215518788615 |
Alternate Journal | Clin Rehabil |
PubMed ID | 30033755 |