Cueing Interventions for Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence.

Background: Cueing interventions, which utilize external auditory, visual, or somatosensory stimuli, are increasingly used to improve motor performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). This review explores the effectiveness of cueing on gait, balance, and quality of life outcomes in PD. Methods: A scoping review of six studies was conducted, focusing on the impact of cueing interventions on gait parameters, balance stability, and functional outcomes in PD patients. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the PEDro scale, and risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2. Results: Cueing interventions consistently improved gait parameters, with five studies showing significant increases in step length. The results for walking speed were more varied, with some studies reporting statistically significant gains while others found non-significant or mixed outcomes. Balance improvements were noted in dynamic balance measures, though static balance effects were less consistent. Two studies observed long-term benefits at follow-up, particularly when interventions were structured and supervised. The quality of life improvements were limited, with only one study measuring this outcome and showing no significant changes. Conclusions: Cueing interventions demonstrate potential for enhancing gait and dynamic balance in PD, though effects on quality of life remain uncertain. Early and structured implementation of cueing, especially with auditory stimuli, may support functional gains in PD management. Further research is required to establish optimal cueing protocols and long-term benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]