Effects of physical training on straightening-up processes in patients with Parkinson's disease

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate whether motor training coul d improve the straightening-up sequences in patients with Parkinson's disea se and, consequently, could ease the capacity of the patients to change bod y's position. Methods: Twenty out-patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (12 males, 8 females; mean age 72,9; H-Y, 1, 5-3) were enrolled in a rehabilitation p rogramme which included exercises for the mobility of the trunk, of upper a nd lower limbs and of each segment of the spine, in order to improve the co ordination of movement and to avoid postural disturbances. They received 1 hour of group treatment twice a week for a 5 week consecutive period. No ch anges were made in the pharmacological treatment received by each patient. The patients were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the rehabili tation training. The statistical evaluation was made using the Wilcoxon tes t. Results : Statistically significant differences were observed in all the mo tor parameters that were evaluated (supine to sitting and sitting to supine , supine rolling, standing from a chair). Conclusions: The observations demonstrate that physical training can be eff ective in improving motor performance related to changes in position which affects the simple daily activities of the patients.