Date of Award
2019
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department Chair
Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not treadmill training is effective in improving postural instability, balance, and gait in patients with Parkinson disease.
STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between the years of 2013 and 2017.
DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of treadmill training for improving postural instability, balance, and gait for patients with Parkinson Disease. Sources were selected from PubMed based off of the relevance to the clinical question and if they include patient oriented outcome measures.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured in this review are postural instability, balance, and gait. They are measured by the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), gait evaluation tests, dynamic posturography, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA).
RESULTS: All studies showed a significant improvement in Parkinson disease symptoms after treadmill gait training regardless of additional load or partial weight supported gait training.
CONCLUSIONS: The evidence presented in this review concludes that treadmill training is an effective treatment for improving postural instability, balance, and gait in patients with Parkinson disease. Treadmill training can be an easy accessible effective way to improve the lives of these patients.
Recommended Citation
Matekovic, Katelyn A., "Is Treadmill Training Effective in Improving Postural Instability, Balance, and Gait in Patients with Parkinson Disease?" (2019). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 490.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/490