Effects of an External and Combined Focus of Attention-Instructed Exercise Program on Postural Stability and Dual-Task Walking in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Parkinson's disease is the most common progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. Common movement impairments in Parkinson's include balance and walking difficulties. These impairments lead to falls, increased levels of functional dependency, and a decrease in quality of life. Exercise in Parkinson's patients improves their functional symptoms in daily life, enhancing both motor and non-motor skills, and consequently increases their quality of life. Recently, various additional methods have been developed to increase the effectiveness of exercise in Parkinson's rehabilitation and to contribute to motor skills. Focus of attention instructions are fundamental concepts in motor function learning. External focus of attention has been shown to facilitate motor function development, reduce postural instability, and improve dual-task walking by being easier to remember. In Parkinson's patients who experience freezing phenomena, internal focus of attention instructions enhance walking stability and movement control, thereby reducing the risk of falls. However, there are no studies on the combined focus of attention instructions in Parkinson's patients. This study is designed as a randomized controlled, single-blind, prospective trial to examine the effects of a combination of internal and external focus of attention instructions on walking, balance parameters, quality of life, and patient satisfaction levels, taking into account the presence of freezing phenomena in Parkinson's patients.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 50
Maximum Age: 70
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Hoehn and Yahr Stage II or III

• Individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 who can walk independently but have balance disorders

• Having a score between 21-56 on the Berg Balance Scale

• Having a score between 24-30 on the Mini Mental State Test

• Having agreed to participate in the study (Not having a freezing phenomenon)

• Being in the Medication-on period

Locations
Other Locations
Turkey
Atafiz Tıp Merkezi
RECRUITING
Istanbul
Contact Information
Primary
Pelin Pişirici, PT, PhD
pelinpisirici@gmail.com
05055016076
Backup
Selen Gür Özmen, MD
selen.gur.ozmen@bau.edu.tr
05323941011
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-01-30
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 48
Treatments
Experimental: Group1: Exercises with External Attention Focus Instructions
Throughout the descriped exercise program, the physiotherapist will guide the participants using only external focus of attention instructions.~Example: Go over the red block. (10 rounds )
Experimental: Group 2: Exercises with Combined Attention Focus Instructions
The exercise program given to the External Focus of Attention group will also be administered to this group. While guiding the exercises, the physiotherapist will use a combination of both external and internal focus of attention instructions to direct the participants.~Example: Pass over the red block by pulling your knees up as high as you can.
Experimental: Grup 3: Exercises with no instructions (Control Group)
The same exercise program given to the other groups will also be administered to this group but no instruction will be given to this group.~Example: Take 10 turn around the track, passing over the blocks
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Bahçeşehir University

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov