Biomechanical measures of balance after balance-based exergaming training dedicated for patients with Parkinson's disease

Anna Brachman; Wojciech Marszałek; Anna Kamieniarz; Justyna Michalska; Michał Pawłowski; Grzegorz Juras

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.036

Biomechanical measures of balance after balance-based exergaming training dedicated for patients with Parkinson's disease

Gait Posture. 2021 Jun:87:170-176. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.036. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Authors

Anna Brachman¹, Wojciech Marszałek², Anna Kamieniarz³, Justyna Michalska⁴, Michał Pawłowski⁵, Grzegorz Juras⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Biomechanics, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: a.brachman@awf.katowice.pl.
² Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: w.marszalek@awf.katowice.pl.
³ Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: a.kamieniarz@awf.katowice.pl.
⁴ Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: j.michalska@awf.katowice.pl.
⁵ Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: m.pawlowski@awf.katowice.pl.
⁶ Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 72a Mikolowska, 40-065 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: g.juras@awf.katowice.pl.

PMID: 33940308
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.04.036

Abstract

Introduction: Although previous studies have contributed to our understanding of the effects of implementing the virtual reality as a rehabilitation tool in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), additional research is needed to examine the effects of applying balance-based exergaming training on quantitative biomechanical measures of balance.

Research question: To investigate the effects of balance-based conventional and exergaming training on posture parameters.

Methods: The study involved 24 patients with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages II-III).Participants underwent twelve training sessions during the 4-week training period. The experimental group (n=12) was trained with a custom-made exergaming balance based training system, the control group (n=12) underwent a conventional balance training. All objective outcomes were measured before intervention and the day after completion of training program. Postural stability was assessed using the quiet standing test, dynamic balance was assessed using limits of stability (LOS) and functional balance (FBT) tests.

Results: After training, participants in both groups showed significantly better results in static balance performance. However, only exergaming training significantly improved LOS performance (higher values of Range of forward lean (p = 0.039, d_z = 0.67) and leaning rate (p=0.007, d_z=0.96). Also FBT test improved significantly only in experimental group (decrease in time to target hit (p=0.02, d_z=0.76) and significant increase of average COP velocity (p=0.008, d_z=0.93).

Conclusion: This study found that exergaming training created for patients with PD enhanced static and dynamic balance whereas conventional balance training improved static balance. Posturography is sensitive enough to reveal differential effects of training for both groups. These findings support the inclusion of our exergaming training in the exercise program for participants with PD.

Keywords: Balance; Parkinson’s disease; Posturagraphy; Rehabilitation; Virtual reality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomechanical Phenomena
Exercise Therapy
Humans
Parkinson Disease*
Postural Balance
Posture
Video Games