Aquatic Therapy Versus Land-Based Therapy for the Treatment of Balance Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: Aquatic Therapy Versus Land-Based Therapy for the Treatment of Balance Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: a Randomized, Controlled Study With 6-months Follow-up

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a specific aquatic therapy program on balance with a land-based physical-treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease and to evaluate the long-term effects in a 6-month follow-up period.

Clinical Trial Description

Background: Balance dysfunction (BD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling sign leading to falls which have a negative impact on the quality of life. It is known that aquatic therapy could be useful to train balance given its physical features and for reducing patients' fear of falls. Many studies have evaluated the efficacy of land-based physiotherapy in treatment of BD, but few studies have investigated the efficacy of aquatic therapy on balance and none of those assessed clinical measurements in a clinically, relevant follow-up period.

Objective: The aim of study was to compare the effectiveness of a specific aquatic therapy program on balance with a land-based physical-treatment in patients with PD and to evaluate the long-term effects in a 6-month follow-up period.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with PD in medium-stage of disease were randomized into two groups: 17 underwent Multidisciplinary-Intensive-Rehabilitation-Treatment (MIRT) and 17 underwent MIRT associated with aquatic therapy protocol (MIRT-AT). Investigators assessed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II-III, and Timed Up Go test (TUG) in both groups at admission, discharge and after a 6-months follow-up period. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Parkinson Disease

• NCT number: NCT02701621
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Ospedale Generale Di Zona Moriggia-Pelascini
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 2014
• Completion date: December 2014