Efficacy of Brisk Walking in Parkinson's Disease
Efficacy of Brisk Walking in Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neuro-degenerative disease in older
 people. Falls are common among people PD with the incidence rate up to 70% and have strong
 associations with the severity of the disease, balance impairment, and freezing of gait.The
 abnormal gait characteristics include reduction in stride length, gait speed and arm swing,
 and increase in cadence. Gait training, balance training, aerobic training, Tai chi and dance
 training are common types of physical rehabilitation for PD. Brisk walking is a way of
 walking with a pace faster than normal, and it can improve dynamic balance for senior men and
 balance function for chronic stroke clients.

 Brisk walking also promotes cardiopulmonary fitness and walking endurance in elderly women,
 healthy middle-age and older adults, active elderly men and chronic stroke clients. Our
 previous pilot randomized controlled trial on the effects of a 6-week home-based brisk
 walking program indicates that it is feasible and safe for the early PD population with
 improved walking capacity measured by 6-minute walk distance. The positive effects could
 carry over to 6 weeks after treatment completion. Up-to-date, the short- and long-term
 effects of brisk walking in improving balance and gait performance, and functional capacity
 in people with PD have not yet been well investigated. In order to promote their balance and
 functional capacity in longer term, more sustained training and better exercise adherence may
 be necessary.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Parkinson disease diagnosed by neurologist with Hoehn & Yahr stage 2 or 3

 -  Having a 30-meter walking ability

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Significant neurological condition (other than Parkinson's disease)

 -  Musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait, balance or upper limb functions

 -  Had received deep brain stimulation surgery

 -  Cognitive impairment with Montreal Cognitive Assessment score <24

 -  Present with on-off motor fluctuations.