Effect of Adding Computerized Cognitive Training on Balance, Locomotion and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease

Summary

BACKGROUND: Postural instability and gait abnormalities are cardinal features in Parkinson's disease (PD). It represents one of the most disabling symptoms in the advanced stages of the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of adding computer-based cognitive training to physical therapy interventions on postural stability, locomotion, and cognitive performance in Parkinson's disease patients.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Egyptian Parkinson's Disease patients of both sex , all patients fulfilled the U.K Parkinson's Disease Brain Bank Criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic PD.
* The patients' age ranged from 58 to 68 years.
* The duration of illness ranged from two to five years.
* The severity of the disease ranged from mild to moderate disability according to UPDRS motor scores (part III) and Modified Hoehn and Yahr staging (stage 2.5\&3) .
* Cognitive function ranged from 65 to 81 according to Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) that indicates mild cognitive impairment.
* The patients with mild balance and gait impairments
* Medically and psychologically stable patients and of adequate cardiac function to adhere to the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with secondary parkinsonism (Drug-induced, post traumatic, or post infectious) or atypical parkinsonism.
* Patients with major language disturbance, severe physical, auditory or visual impairment affecting their ability to complete testing.
* Patients with magnetic devices or any other implanted device (e.g., metallic implants such as pacemakers, surgical aneurysm clips…etc).
* Patients with a history of seizure, head injury or brain surgery.
* Complicating or unstable cardiovascular disease (unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction within the last three months, congestive heart failure, significant heart valve dysfunction, or unstable hypertension) or pulmonary disorders.
* Patients with musculoskeletal disorders such as severe arthritis, knee surgery, total hip joint replacement, lower limb fractures or contractures of fixed deformity.
* Patients with evidence from the history, physical examination, or special investigations for any concomitant medical or metabolic illness known to affect cognition e.g. cerebrovascular stroke, thyroid or parathyroid disease, hepatic or renal failure.
* Patients receiving certain drugs known to improve cognition (e.g. rivastigmine, memantine…..etc).
* Patients with current or prior history of major psychiatric disorder and/or current use of anxiolytic, neuroleptic, sedative medication or sleeping aids.
* Uncooperative patients.
* Illiterate patients.

Conditions2

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