Award Date
5-2012
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Department
Physical Therapy
Advisor 1
Merrill Landers
First Committee Member
Jill Slaboda
Second Committee Member
Merrill Landers
Number of Pages
37
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of various attentional focus strategies on balance in people with PD. Forty-nine adults with idiopathic PD were randomized into one of four groups (internal focus, external focus, no focus, and control). The three intervention groups participated in a month-long balance program. The outcomes measured were the Sensory Organization Test, Berg Balance Scale, self selected gait velocity, Dynamic Gait Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and obstacle course completion time. These outcomes were measured at baseline, post intervention, 2-weeks post intervention, and 8-weeks post intervention. Statistical analyses yielded no significant differences among the groups. This study demonstrated that attentional focus instructions may not have a long-term effect on balance in individuals with PD. It also suggests that a standardized balance program including treadmill training, an obstacle course, and standing balance activities may not be sufficient to improve gait and balance in people with PD.
Keywords
Neuromuscular diseases -- Physical therapy; Parkinson's disease -- Treatment; Physical therapy
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Physical Therapy | Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
File Format
File Size
766 Kb
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Davis, Alyssa; Hatlevig, Rebecca; Richards, Amanda; and Rosenlof, Leslee, "Attentional Focus During Balance Training in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (PD): A Randomized Clinical Trial" (2012). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 1321.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/3090570
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Comments
This clinical trial was made possible by an American Parkinson’s Disease Association Research Grant. The authors would like to thank Dustin Miller, DPT, and Tarah Badger, DPT, for their help with recruitment and administration of the treatment portion of the trial. The authors would also like to thank Gabriele Wulf, PhD, for her assistance in the design of the trial.