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Supported treadmill training for gait and balance in a patient with progressive supranuclear palsy
Monthaporn Suteerawattananon1, Betty MacNeill, Elizabeth J Protas
1School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University-Houston, 77030, USA.
Background And Purpose:
Impaired balance, gait disturbances, and frequent falls are common problems in people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). This case report describes the use of a modified body weight support treadmill training program to reduce falls and improve the balance and gait of a patient with PSP.
Case Description:
The patient was a 62-year-old man diagnosed with PSP. His major problems were impaired balance and frequent, abrupt falls.
Methods:
Physical therapy included walk training, balance perturbation, and step training using body weight support with a treadmill. Training sessions lasted 11/2 hours and occurred 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Fall incidence, balance, and gait were assessed before, during, and after the program.
Outcomes:
The patient reported fewer falls during and after training. Balance and gait improved after training.
Discussion:
This case report is the first to report fall reduction, improved gait, and improved balance following physical therapy for a person with PSP.