Effect of Global Postural Rehabilitation program on spatiotemporal gait parameters of parkinsonian patients: a three-dimensional motion analysis study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a Global Postural Rehabilitation (GPR) program on motor symptoms and gait parameters of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) by means of three-dimensional motion analysis study. Ten subjects with clinical diagnosis of PD were enrolled (study group). Age-, sex- and disease duration-matched PD patients were recruited as a control group (no treatment). Three-dimensional motion analysis was conducted by means of a stereophotogrammetric system. After basal evaluation, the study group underwent a specific rehabilitation program consisting of individual 40 min GPR daily sessions, 3 days a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Neurological status and spatiotemporal gait parameters of the two groups were evaluated at study entry (t (0)), at 4 weeks (t (1), end of rehabilitation protocol) and at 8 and 12 weeks (t (2) and t (3), follow-up evaluation). At baseline evaluation, the two groups did not differ in clinical features and gait parameters. At the end of rehabilitation protocol (t (1)) and at follow-up evaluation (t (2) and t (3)), a significant improvement in temporal gait parameters and UPDRS scores was observed in all treated patients as compared to baseline and controls. Our preliminary findings showed that significant improvements in mobility and gait parameters of PD patients can be obtained through GPR treatment, with a parallel improvement in clinical status. Quantitative analysis of gait pattern can be considered a useful tool to assess the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions in patients affected by PD.