Effects of Nordic walking training on functional parameters in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial

We compare the effects of Nordic walking training ( NW ) and Free walk ( FW ) on functional parameters (motor symptoms, balance) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go at Self‐selected Speed – TUGSS , and at forced speed, TUGFS ; Self‐selected Walking Speed, SSW ; locomotor rehabilitation index, LRI ) of Parkinson's disease ( PD ) patients. The study included 33 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD , and staging between 1 and 4 in the Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y) randomized into two groups: NW ( N = 16) and FW ( N = 17) for 6 weeks. Baseline characteristics were compared trough a one‐way ANOVA . Outcomes were analyzed using the Generalized Estimation Equations ( GEE ) with a Bonferroni post‐hoc. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. Improvements in UPDRS III ( P < 0.001), balance scores ( P < 0.035), TUGSS distance ( P < 0.001), TUGFS distance ( P < 0.001), SSW ( P < 0.001), and LRI ( P < 0.001) were found for both groups. However, the NW group showed significant differences ( P < 0.001) when compared to the FW group for the functional mobility. We conclude the NW improves functional parameters and walking mobility demonstrating that NW is as effective as the FW , including benefits for FW on the functional mobility of people with PD .