Objective: Object of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of  Propriocettive Focal Stimulation on Gait in  severe Parkinson disease patients by  randomized Blind double dummy study using Equistasi® a nanotechnological device of the dimension of a plaster which generates High Frequency segmental vibration. 

Background: The efficacy of Gait Analysis (GA) on evaluating gait modification on Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Patients (1) is already well known. On the other hand, several studies have shown that  Proprioceptive Focal Stimulation seems to be useful in symptoms amelioration in several neurological disease. Therefore, GA was recorded in a group of severe PD patients in randomized  blind double dummy study using  Equistasi ® device and its placebo (inactive plaque).

Methods:    Twelve PD patients (age 66.8 years ,  Duration  7.2 years, Therapy 4.7 ; H&Y 2.42 ) at  their best therapy, were enrolled in the study. They were randomized . Four GA were performed always at the morning; T1,T2,T3;T4 Therefore three plaques devices were put on  the skin: one at C7, one at the right and the left leg, over the confluence of Gastrocnemius bellie(2). Equistasi® is a nanotechnological device of the dimension of a plaster which generates High Frequency segmental vibration.  Clinical state was monitored by MDUPDRS part III. Parametric (One-way ANOVA and paired t-Student) and not – parametric statistic (Freidman ANOVA and Wilcoxon test) were used.

Results: RESULTS The analysis of the  Stride Phase Percentage showed a significant  reduction of Stance (STA) e Swing (SWI) and Double Support Stance (DSS) both in left and rights stride in Active evaluation, while not statistic significance was found in Inactive device (DSS sin not significant) Mean Velocity did not was statistically reduced. UPDRS Part III was statistically reduced both in Active and Inactive device evaluation (Active: p=0.007; Inactive: p=0.011)

Conclusions: CONCLUSION  The results, in this preliminary  group of patients, although the intrinsic stride component are modified more than mean velocity, variable not always related to specific pathologies;  encourage to investigate the mechanical focal vibration as  stimulation of proprioceptive system in Parkinson’s disease patients. Moreover this study  makes us reflect on the importance  of objective methods as the GA in clinical approach to Parkinson’s disease.    

References: 1)Does gait analysis quantify motor rehabilitation efficacy in Parkinson’s disease patients?

Peppe A, Chiavalon C, Pasqualetti P, Crovato D, Caltagirone C. Gait Posture. 2007 Sep;26(3):452-62. Epub 2007 Jan 19.

2)A wearable proprioceptive stabilizer (Equistasi®) for rehabilitation of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease: a phase II randomized double-blind, double-dummy, controlled study. Volpe D, Giantin MG, Fasano A.PLoS One. 2014 Nov 17;9(11).

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/proprioceptive-focal-stimulation-equistasi-may-improve-gait-in-severe-parkinsons-disease-patients-gait-analysis-double-blind-double-dummy-randomized-study/