Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Canadians living with and without cardiovascular disease
January 3, 2025
A new study entitled, “Post-Physical Therapy 4-Month In-Home Dynamic Standing Protocol Maintains Physical Therapy Gains and Improves Mobility, Balance Confidence, Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Examiner-Blinded Feasibility Clinical Trial” was recently published in Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls. A summary and citation are included below.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Parkinson’s patients will experience mobility disturbances with disease progression. Beneficial effects of physical therapy are short-lasting. Novel interventions are needed to maintain these benefits.
Methods: Fourteen Parkinson’s patients (71±4.08 years) participated in a randomized controlled examiner-blinded feasibility clinical trial. After 12 physical therapy sessions, the intervention group received a height-adjustable desk that facilitates stepping while standing, for 4 months. Explorative outcome measures included MDS-UPDRS II, III, TUG, 8.5m walking test, PDQ-39, sABC, sFES, DEXA scans, and lower extremity strength.
Results: Post-physical-therapy, everyone significantly improved on the MDS-UPDRS II, III, TUG, and 8.5m walking test, and PDQ-39. (p<0.05) After 4 months, the control group regressed towards pre-physical-therapy values. In the intervention group, sedentary behavior decreased beyond desk use, indicating a carry-over effect. MDS-UPDRS II, PDQ-39, sFES, sABC, TUG, 8.5m walking test, activity time, sitting time, hip strength all improved with clinically relevant effect sizes.
Conclusion: Post- physical therapy in-home reduction of sedentary behavior was associated with maintenance of physical benefits and additional improvements in mobility, activity time, balance and quality of life.
CITATION
van Emde Boas, M., et al. (2024). Post-Physical Therapy 4-Month In-Home Dynamic Standing Protocol Maintains Physical Therapy Gains and Improves Mobility, Balance Confidence, Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Examiner-Blinded Feasibility Clinical Trial. Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls, 9(4), 267-280. doi: 10.22540/JFSF-09-267
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