Comparison of the Effects of an Exergame-Based Program with Conventional Physiotherapy Protocol Based on Core Areas of the European Guideline on Postural Control, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction

Impairment of postural control and functional mobility are debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition to limiting performance in activities of daily living, it is associated with a higher prevalence of falls in this population. Particularly, dysfunction in postural control does not respond to dopaminergic replacement therapy, but physiotherapy can improve this outcome in patients with PD.

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of training based on Kinect Adventures games compared with a conventional physiotherapy protocol based on the core areas of the European physiotherapy guideline in patients with PD on postural control, functional mobility, self-perception of confidence in the balance, quality of life (QoL), lower limb muscle strength, transfer skill and motor function, as well as to observe adherence and safety interventions.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD were randomized into two groups, and performed 14 training sessions, twice a week for 60 minutes. The primary outcome assessed postural control using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest). The following were evaluated as secondary outcomes: limit of stability; balance functional reserve and center of pressure area by computerized posturography; functional mobility by the Timed Up and Go test; self-confidence in balance through the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale; QoL through the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire; lower limb muscle strength by the Five Times Sit-To-Stand test; and motor function by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.

Results

Patients completed training sessions with high rates of safety and adherence. After training, there was a significant improvement in postural control, motor function, and QoL.

Conclusion

Both interventions proved to be safe, applicable, and effective to improve postural control, QoL, and motor function in patients with PD. However, there was no difference between the effects of Kinect Adventures games and conventional physiotherapeutic protocol in patients with PD. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-27kqv5).