Visual Cues Training on Parkinsonian Gait: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Parkinsonian patients exhibited marked deficits in maintaining equilibrium during transitions between static and dynamic equilibrium. Walking can be initiated from many positions including the seated position and the sit- towalk is a functional task of daily living activities. Objective: to evaluate the effect of visual cues on parkinsonian gait, and compare it with un-cued gait training. Methods: Twenty eight male Parkinson's patients with level II and III according to modified Hoehn and Yahr classification of disabilities were randomly participated, with duration of illness ranged from 2 to 5 years, and age ranged from 60 to 66 years old. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of 14; group I as study group received visual cues gait training and group II as control group received un-cued gait training. Both groups, received designed program of physical therapy for Parkinsonism, 3 times per week for successive 6 weeks. Spatiotemporal gait parameters and lower limb range of motion were evaluated for all patients pre and post treatment during sit to walk movements. Results: our results revealed that group I that received visual cues gait training showed highly significant improvement of spatiotemporal gait parameters, and lower limb range of motion than group II that received un-cued gait training. Conclusion: the study was concluded that visual cues during sit to walk movement are more effective in promoting parkinsonian gait than un-cued gait training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]