Objective: To evaluate the effects of  Nordik Walking training on  functional mobility, upper limb strength, falls and mood in patients with mild  Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Background: Nordik walking is a form of physical activity, where, natural walking is enhanced by the addition of the active use of a pair of Nordik walking poles. Nordik walking training has been shown to improve functional status as well as gait in frail and pre-frail older patients (1)  A systemic review of randomized clinical trails has also shown Nordik walking to be helpful in improving gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease.(2) There have been very few trails on the benefit of Nordik walking in patients with Parkinson plus syndrome, especially PSP.

Method: This is an open-labeled experimental pre-post study from October 2016 to December 2018. 150 PSP patients walked with Nordik stick (NPSP) for 60 minutes during each training session, 8 training sessions a week, for 12 weeks. The other 150 PSP patients just walked at equal frequency in the tread-mill (TPSP).

Results: There was significant effect of intervention in gait speed in group NPSP (p = 0.001) and but not in group TPSP (p = 0.096). While there was no significant change in grip strength in Group NPSP (p = 0.488) and TPSP (p = 0.852). Incidence of falls was lower in NPSP compared to TPSP (p= 0.001). Mood significantly improved in group NPSP (p = 0.025) but not in TPSP (p = 0.091).

Conclusion: Nordik Walking provides a simple, pragmatic intervention with efficacy in the management of functionally vulnerable Parkinson plus patients, especially PSP,  and allows their maintained independence. Future studies should replicate this readily applicable intervention in a larger cohort with a longer follow-up period

References: (1) Chattarjee P, Kumar P, Kandel R et al. Nordic walking training and nutritional supplementation in pre-frail older Indians: an open-labelled experimental pre-test and post-test pilot study to develop intervention model. BMC Geriatr. 2018 Sep 14;18(1):212. (2) Franciele Cascaes da Silva, Rodrigo da Rosa Iop, Beatriz Angélica Valdivia Arancibia et al. Effects of Nordic walking on Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Fisioter. Pesqui. vol.23 no.4 São Paulo Oct./Dec. 2016.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impact-of-nordik-walking-training-in-patients-with-progressive-supranuclear-palsy/