Abstract:
Purpose: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects spatiotemporal parameters of gait, which is compounded when there is a dual task. The purpose of the current study is to address the multifaceted motor and dual task deficits in PD with a multimodal intervention program in a group setting. Materials and Methods: Twelve participants (ages 58-82) with Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) Scale 1-4. Participants completed 60 minutes, 2 times per week of a multimodal program including: limb agility with dual tasking, Computerized Balance Training, overground gait and obstacle training, and dual task gait training and yoga one time a week for 45 minutes. Objective measures included cognitive TUG and spatiotemporal gait parameters. Results: A repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significant results between T1 and T3 in Cognitive TUG times for the whole group (P=.008) and for individuals stage H&Y 2 (P=.002). Additionally, significant results were found between T1 and T3 in gait velocity during the cognitive TUG (P=.024). Conclusions: Participants had significant improvements in Cognitive TUG time and gait velocity during the Cognitive TUG. The current study demonstrated benefits in some gait parameters following a 5-week, 3 times per week multimodal program for people with PD.