Objectives: The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to examine and compare the immediate and retention effects of speed-dependent treadmill training (SDTT) and rhythmic auditory-cued (RAC) overground walking on gait function and fall risk in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).
Methods: Twenty participants (mean age 66.1 yrs) with idiopathic PD were randomized into either SDTT (n = 10) or RAC (n = 10) progressive, interval-based locomotor training protocols. Immediate and retention training effects on gait function and fall risk were measured by comfortable and fast gait speed (CGS, FGS), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA).
Results: Immediate within-group training effects revealed significant gains in CGS, 6MWT, and FGA for the RAC group, and in FGS, 6-MinuteWalk Test, and FGA for the SDTT group. Retention effects were found at 3-month follow-up for all gait measures in the RAC group, and for FGS and FGA in the SDTT group. No statistically significant differences in immediate or retention training effects on gait measures were found between groups.
Conclusions: Externally-cued locomotor training with progressive and interval-based speed challenges, either with RAC overground or on a treadmill, produced significant improvements in walking speed, endurance, and dynamic balance during walking.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease; locomotor training; rehabilitation.