The effect of rebound therapy in Parkinson's disease: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial

The ongoing search for more effective exercise approaches for people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) persists, despite the potential benefits of exercise in improving balance and gait. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of rebound therapy on balance, gait, knee strength, activities of daily living, and motor symptoms in PwPD.

Seventeen 17 PwPD (aged 40-80 years, Hoehn & Yahr stage I-III) were randomly assigned into two groups. The rebound group received rebound therapy that performed 9 task-oriented exercises on the trampoline, two days/week for six weeks. The stable surface group received the same exercises on the stable surface twice days/week for six weeks. The groups were compared regarding their performances in balance, gait, knee strength, activities of daily living, and motor symptoms parameters.

There were significant interaction effects (time × group) for the non-dominant side 60°/sec knee extension strength (F=6.874, p = 0.020). There were no significant interaction effects (time × group) for any other variables. Within-group comparisons revealed that both groups significantly improved UPDRS-II/III and total scores postural stability test, and in all m-CTSIB scores excluding eyes open-firm surface and eyes closed-foam surface scores, and stride length (p < 0.05). Additionally, the Rebound group showed significant improvements in other m-CTSIB scores, gait speed, dominant side single support phase, non-dominant side 60°/sec knee strength, and dominant side 180°/sec extension strength (p < 0.05).

This study found that a six-week rebound therapy program led to significant improvements in balance, gait, and strength in PD. However, when directly compared to the stable surface exercise, rebound therapy was not statistically superior for the vast majority of outcomes. Consequently, both modalities appear to be comparably effective for improving motor function in PD.

ClinicalTrials.gov (ID:NCT05855161).