Influence of Verbal Instruction on Gait Training in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Verbal instruction is one of the most commonly used methods that therapists use to correct walking pattern for people with Parkinson disease. This study aimed to compare the long-term training effects of two different verbal instructions that either asked the participants to "take big steps" or "strike the ground with the heel" on walking ability in individuals with Parkinson disease.

Forty-five participants with Parkinson disease were randomized into the big-step or heel strike group. The participants underwent 12 sessions of treadmill and overground gait training. Throughout the interventions, the big-step group received an instruction to "take big steps," while the heel strike group received an instruction to "strike the ground with your heel." The primary outcome was gait performance, including velocity, stride length, cadence, and heel strike angle. The participants were assessed before, immediately after, and 1 mo after training.

Both groups showed significant improvements in gait performance after training. The heel strike group showed continuous improvements in velocity and stride length during the follow-up period; however, the big-step group showed slightly decreased performance.

A verbal instruction emphasizing heel strike can facilitate long-term retention of walking performance in people with Parkinson disease.