Ankle Rehabilitation Improves Balance and Gait Performance in Parkinson’s Disease
Poster Presentation
Paper ID : 1136-SSRC
Authors
1کارشناس علوم ورزشی دانشگاه ازاد همدان
2دانشگاه ازاد اسلامی همدان
Abstract
This article presents a study investigating the effects of ankle rehabilitation on balance and gait performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor impairments, including difficulties with balance and gait. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ankle rehabilitation as a potential intervention to improve these motor symptoms.
A total of 30 participants diagnosed with Parkinson's disease were recruited for this randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to either the ankle rehabilitation group or the control group. The ankle rehabilitation group underwent a 12-week intervention program, consisting of targeted exercises and activities aimed at improving ankle strength, flexibility, and proprioception. The control group received standard care without any specific ankle rehabilitation intervention. To evaluate the effects of ankle rehabilitation, various outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention period. These measures included balance assessments using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait performance evaluations using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing appropriate tests such as t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in both balance and gait performance in the ankle rehabilitation group compared to the control group. The ankle rehabilitation group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in BBS scores (p < 0.001), indicating improved balance, as well as a significant decrease in TUG test completion time (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced gait performance.
These findings suggest that ankle rehabilitation can be an effective intervention for improving balance and gait performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The results highlight the importance of targeted exercises and activities focusing on ankle strength, flexibility, and proprioception in the rehabilitation process. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and potential mechanisms underlying the observed improvements. In conclusion, this study provides evidence supporting the use of ankle rehabilitation as a valuable approach to enhancing balance and gait performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. These findings have implications for the development of comprehensive rehabilitation programs targeting motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients.
A total of 30 participants diagnosed with Parkinson's disease were recruited for this randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to either the ankle rehabilitation group or the control group. The ankle rehabilitation group underwent a 12-week intervention program, consisting of targeted exercises and activities aimed at improving ankle strength, flexibility, and proprioception. The control group received standard care without any specific ankle rehabilitation intervention. To evaluate the effects of ankle rehabilitation, various outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention period. These measures included balance assessments using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait performance evaluations using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing appropriate tests such as t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in both balance and gait performance in the ankle rehabilitation group compared to the control group. The ankle rehabilitation group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in BBS scores (p < 0.001), indicating improved balance, as well as a significant decrease in TUG test completion time (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced gait performance.
These findings suggest that ankle rehabilitation can be an effective intervention for improving balance and gait performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The results highlight the importance of targeted exercises and activities focusing on ankle strength, flexibility, and proprioception in the rehabilitation process. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and potential mechanisms underlying the observed improvements. In conclusion, this study provides evidence supporting the use of ankle rehabilitation as a valuable approach to enhancing balance and gait performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. These findings have implications for the development of comprehensive rehabilitation programs targeting motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients.
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