Speed-Variable Treadmill Training Improves Hand Motor Function in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Aerobic exercise with proprioceptive feedback enhances function in Parkinson's disease (PwPD).
• Existing methods like split-belt treadmills are costly and inaccessible for home use.
• Speed-variable (SV) treadmill training offers a more accessible alternative using standard treadmills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute effects of speed-variable (SV) treadmill training on motor function in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD).
• To compare SV treadmill training with normal (N) treadmill training in PwPD.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of SV training in a gym or home setting.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen PwPD underwent one 30-min session of SV training and one 30-min session of N training in a counterbalanced order.
• Motor function was assessed pre- and post-exercise using the KinesiaONE inertial measurement unit.
• Measures included tremor, bradykinesia, rhythm, and amplitude of movement, alongside heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE).

Main Results:

• SV training resulted in significantly lower RPE compared to N training.
• Significant improvements were observed in hand motor function, bradykinesia, and tremor sum post-SV exercise.
• No significant changes were noted in hand amplitude, movement rhythm, or lower body symptoms.

Conclusions:

• SV treadmill training is an effective exercise paradigm for acutely improving hand motor function in PwPD.
• This accessible method utilizes standard treadmills, making it suitable for home or gym-based rehabilitation.
• Further research should explore the effects of multiple sessions and dose-response relationships of speed variability.