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Bartolo M, Castelli A, Calabrese M, Buttacchio G, Zucchella C, Tamburin S, Fontana A, Copetti M, Fasano A, Intiso D. A wearable system for visual cueing gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: a randomized non-inferiority trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2024; 60:245-256. [PMID: 38483335 PMCID: PMC11114153 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.24.08381-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gait disturbances represent one of the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease (PD). AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of a new wearable visual cueing system (Q-Walk) for gait rehabilitation in PD subjects, compared to traditional visual cues (stripes on the floor). DESIGN Open-label, monocentric, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. SETTING Outpatients. POPULATION Patients affected by idiopathic PD without cognitive impairment, Hoehn and Yahr stage II-IV, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor section III ≥2, stable drug usage since at least 3 weeks. METHODS At the enrollment (T0), all subjects underwent a clinical/functional evaluation and the instrumental gait and postural analysis; then they were randomly assigned to the Study Group (SG) or Control Group (CG). Rehabilitation program consisted in 10 consecutive individual sessions (5 sessions/week for 2 consecutive weeks). Each session included 60 minutes of conventional physiotherapy plus 30 minutes of gait training by Q-Walk (SG) or by traditional visual cues (CG). Follow-up visits were scheduled at the end of the treatment (T1) and after 3 months (T2). RESULTS Fifty-two subjects were enrolled in the study, 26 in each group. The within-groups analysis showed a significant improvement in clinical scales and instrumental data at T1 and at T2, compared to baseline, in both groups. According to the between-group analysis, Q-Walk cueing system was not-inferior to the traditional cues for gait rehabilitation. The satisfaction questionnaire revealed that most subjects described the Q-Walk cueing system as simple, motivating and easily usable, possibly suitable for home use. CONCLUSIONS Data showed that motor rehabilitation of PD subjects performed by means of the new wearable Q-Walk cueing system was feasible and as effective as traditional cues in improving gait parameters and balance. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Wearable devices can act as an additional rehabilitation strategy for long-term and continuous care, allowing patients to train intensively and extensively in household settings, favoring a tailor-made and personalized approach as well as remote monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Bartolo
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Rehabilitation Department, HABILITA Zingonia, Zingonia, Bergamo, Italy -
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Rehabilitation Department, HABILITA Zingonia, Zingonia, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marzia Calabrese
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Rehabilitation Department, HABILITA Zingonia, Zingonia, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giampiero Buttacchio
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Rehabilitation Department, HABILITA Zingonia, Zingonia, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Tamburin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Fontana
- Unit of Biostatistics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Unit of Biostatistics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Rehabilitation, Moriggia-Pelascini Hospital, Gravedona ed Uniti, Como, Italy
| | - Domenico Intiso
- Unit of Neurorehabilitation and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
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Lombardi G, Baccini M, Gualerzi A, Pancani S, Campagnini S, Doronzio S, Longo D, Maselli A, Cherubini G, Piazzini M, Ciapetti T, Polito C, Pinna S, De Santis C, Bedoni M, Macchi C, Ramat S, Cecchi F. Comparing the effects of augmented virtual reality treadmill training versus conventional treadmill training in patients with stage II-III Parkinson's disease: the VIRTREAD-PD randomized controlled trial protocol. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1338609. [PMID: 38327625 PMCID: PMC10847255 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1338609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Intensive treadmill training (TT) has been documented to improve gait parameters and functional independence in Parkinson's Disease (PD), but the optimal intervention protocol and the criteria for tailoring the intervention to patients' performances are lacking. TT may be integrated with augmented virtual reality (AVR), however, evidence of the effectiveness of this combined treatment is still limited. Moreover, prognostic biomarkers of rehabilitation, potentially useful to customize the treatment, are currently missing. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effects on gait performances of TT + AVR versus TT alone in II-III stage PD patients with gait disturbance. Secondary aims are to assess the effects on balance, gait parameters and other motor and non-motor symptoms, and patient's satisfaction and adherence to the treatment. As an exploratory aim, the study attempts to identify biomarkers of neuroplasticity detecting changes in Neurofilament Light Chain concentration T0-T1 and to identify prognostic biomarkers associated to blood-derived Extracellular Vesicles. Methods Single-center, randomized controlled single-blind trial comparing TT + AVR vs. TT in II-III stage PD patients with gait disturbances. Assessment will be performed at baseline (T0), end of training (T1), 3 (T2) and 6 months (T3, phone interview) from T1. The primary outcome is difference in gait performance assessed with the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment gait scale at T1. Secondary outcomes are differences in gait performance at T2, in balance and spatial-temporal gait parameters at T1 and T2, patients' satisfaction and adherence. Changes in falls, functional mobility, functional autonomy, cognition, mood, and quality of life will be also assessed at different timepoints. The G*Power software was used to estimate a sample size of 20 subjects per group (power 0.95, α < 0.05), raised to 24 per group to compensate for potential drop-outs. Both interventions will be customized and progressive, based on the participant's performance, according to a predefined protocol. Conclusion This study will provide data on the possible superiority of AVR-associated TT over conventional TT in improving gait and other motor and non-motor symptoms in persons with PD and gait disturbances. Results of the exploratory analysis could add information in the field of biomarker research in PD rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Lombardi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Baccini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pancani
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Doronzio
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Longo
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maselli
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Technical-Health Professions, Rehabilitation, and Prevention, Campostaggia Hospital, Poggibonsi (SI), USL Toscana Sudest, Italy
| | - Giulio Cherubini
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Samuele Pinna
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara De Santis
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marzia Bedoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Macchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Ramat
- Parkinson Unit, Department of NeuroMuscular-Skeletal and Sensorial Organs, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cecchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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