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

pdf

File Size

766 Kb

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/


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