Can functional training influence physical aspects in people with parkinsonism? A randomized trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21527/2176-7114.2024.48.14712Keywords:
Physical Exercise, Parkinson's Disease, Postural Balance, Muscle Strength, Gripping StrengthAbstract
Introduction: Physical exercise is considered a complementary form of treatment to medication and has been shown in the literature to improve some motor symptoms in People with Parkinson. Objective: To analyze the effect of a functional training intervention on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale III score, balance, flexibility, lower and upper limb strength, and functional mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. Methods: The study included a functional training intervention group (n=12) and control group (n=12), totaling 24 participants of both sexes (64.08 ± 10.1 years). Information was collected on personal and clinical characteristics, and the following tests were applied; the Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale – part III, balance test (MiniBESTest), lower limb flexibility (Sitting and Reaching), shoulder range of motion (Goniometry), lower limb muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), handgrip strength (Dynamometry), and functional mobility (Timed Up & Go). Results: After the intervention there were significant intragroup improvements in the intervention group for the variables left shoulder range of motion in abduction (p= 0.014) and flexion (p= 0.018), right and left lower limb flexibility (p=0.013; p=0.002), right and left leg extension strength (p=0.028; p=0.017), and right and left leg flexion strength (p=0.006; p=0.002). In addition, intra-group statistical differences in the worsening of the control group in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale III (p=0.023), right shoulder range of motion in flexion (p=0.000), and left lower limb flexibility (p=0.043). None of the variables demonstrated an intergroup effect, and the variables balance, functional mobility, and handgrip presented no significant intragroup effects. Conclusion: A functional training program can positively influence physical aspects related to strength, range of motion, and flexibility, and was shown to be a safe and viable complementary treatment for people with Parkinson's disease.
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