Benefits of Community Research-Based Programming to Improve Freezing of Gait for Individuals with Parkinson Disease

Abstract

For one week, six subjects with Parkinson Disease (PD) attended a boot camp at the Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Gym. Each experienced a unique symptom of PD known as freezing of gait (FOG). Previous research supports task-specific exercise for improving PD symptoms; this study focuses on task-specific exercise to reduce FOG. Reducing the severity of hypokinetic and bradykinetic movement was addressed during the week through large amplitude training that was integrated into interval training during cardiovascular exercise, agility and postural control exercises, and real world environments. Five out of six subjects improved on a Freezing of Gait Assessment (FOGA) and four out of six subjects improved on the Pull Backwards Assessment. Task-specific improvement for all six individuals was achieved, with regards to typical freezing triggers-- narrow spaces, crowds, timed events, and more. These data suggest that techniques learned throughout the week can appear to be reflected into real-life. In addition, FOG specific training showed improvement in balance, a very important finidng in people that fall almost daily. Overall, specific exercise techniques assisted these six subjects in improving their quality of life, freezing severity, and postural control.