Treadmill Exercise Helps Parkinson's Patients

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Recent research has suggested that exercise can
help people with Parkinson's disease stay mobile. Now investigators in Japan
have found that special treadmill exercises may outdo traditional physical
therapy in helping patients stay active.

A disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson's disease leaves patients unable to fully control their movement. The results are frequent tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance and coordination. According to a report in the July issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, specialized treadmill workouts might help alleviate these symptoms.

Dr. Ichiro Miyai, of Toneyama National Hospital in Osaka, Japan, led a study
of 10 Parkinson's patients who received both physical therapy and treadmill
training in which the upper body was supported in a harness. This support relieved the patients of up to 20% of their body weight. The technique, according to Miyai's team, has shown success in rehabilitation of stroke patients.

In this study, the Parkinson's patients made greater gains in walking speed and endurance after the treadmill program than they did following physical therapy. Physical therapy involved general conditioning exercises and walking.

It is unclear why the weight-supported treadmill exercises work, the researchers note. The support might compensate for Parkinson's patients' weaker ``push-off'' of the leg when walking, the authors suggest.

SOURCE: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2000;81:849-852