The Effects of a Multimodal Intervention Program on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Purpose/Hypothesis: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, resulting in a variety of symptoms, including abnormalities of gait. Gait deviations result in increased risk of falls and negatively impact quality of life. There is no consensus regarding the best intervention to treat gait deviations in individuals with PD. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a multimodal intervention program in improving gait parameters for individuals with PD. Methods: Twelve individuals, H&Y 1-4, participated in a 5-week multimodal program including agility training, dual task training, gait training, balance training, and yoga. Gait parameters assessed on the Zeno Walkway included gait velocity, stride velocity, stride length, and cadence, within a 20-foot walk, walk with obstacles, and TUG. Results: A 2-tail t-test revealed significant improvements in gait velocity (P=.04) and stride velocity (P=.03) within the walk with obstacles. Gait velocity, stride velocity, stride length, cadence, and TUG scores improved during the 20foot walk and TUG, although these findings were not significant. Conclusions: This study indicates that a multimodal intervention program may be beneficial in improving gait parameters for individuals with PD, although the magnitude of these changes may vary depending on the condition.