MDS Abstracts

Abstracts from the International Congress of Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders.

MENU 
  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2024 International Congress
    • 2023 International Congress
    • 2022 International Congress
    • MDS Virtual Congress 2021
    • MDS Virtual Congress 2020
    • 2019 International Congress
    • 2018 International Congress
    • 2017 International Congress
    • 2016 International Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
  • Advanced Search

The effects of treadmill training augmented by virtual reality on postural control and freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

E. Bekkers, A. Mirelman, S. Del Din, L. Avanzino, F. Nieuwhof, J. Hausdorff, A. Nieuwboer (Leuven, Belgium)

Meeting: 2018 International Congress

Abstract Number: 352

Keywords: Gait disorders: Treatment, Interventions

Session Information

Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018

Session Title: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials, Pharmacology And Treatment

Session Time: 1:45pm-3:15pm

Location: Hall 3FG

Objective: To investigate whether treadmill training with virtual reality is beneficial both for Parkinson’s disease patients with and without freezing of gait (FOG) to address postural instability, falls and FOG.

Background: People with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait (FOG+) have more postural instability, cognitive impairment, falls and loss of retention of learning compared to FOG-. The V-TIME randomized, controlled study showed positive effects of virtual reality treadmill training (TT+VR) on falls, over and above that of usual treadmill training (TT)[1], however, it is not yet clear if postural control and fall rates improve in FOG- and in FOG+.

Methods: Seventy-five FOG+ and 46 FOG- were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of TT+VR or TT. Participants were assessed at baseline and after the intervention (post, 1 month and 6 months). The primary outcome for the present analysis was the Mini-Best test, capturing postural and dynamic stability. Fall risk was assessed via diaries. Secondary outcomes comprised the new freezing of gait questionnaire (NFOG-Q) and the Trail Making Test (TMT-B).

Results: Age (p=0.295; FOG+: 70.5±6.0; FOG-: 71.7±6.3 yrs), UPDRS-III (p=0.072; FOG+: 31.4±12.6; FOG-: 27.0±13.5) and fall rates (p= 0.371; FOG+: 26.6±66; FOG-: 16.2±53 falls per 6 months) were similar in FOG+ and FOG- at baseline. In response to the interventions, both FOG+ and FOG- had a higher reduction of falls (p<0.001) after TT+VR compared to TT. Mini-Best scores improved in both FOG+ and FOG- after training (p=0.001), irrespective of study arm. Improvements were retained at 1-month, but not at 6-months in both groups. The same pattern of results was apparent for the TMT-B (p=0.001). NFOG-Q scores did not change after both training modes.

Conclusions: TT+VR was able to reduce falling more than TT in FOG+ and FOG-. Similar to FOG-, FOG+ improved postural and dynamic instability after both training modes and retained these effects for 1 month after the cessation of the intervention. Freezing scores were not helped by training and deteriorated with time. These findings point to a similar learning potential between patients with and without FOG regarding postural control and cognition. However, long-term retention was impaired in both groups. These results highlight the potential of treadmill-based rehabilitation to address gait, balance and fall risk even in FOG+, but not freezing.

References: [1] A. Mirelman, L. Rochester, I. Maidan et al., Addition of a non-immersive virtual reality component to treadmill training to reduce fall risk in older adults (V-TIME): a randomised controlled trial 2016, p1170.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

E. Bekkers, A. Mirelman, S. Del Din, L. Avanzino, F. Nieuwhof, J. Hausdorff, A. Nieuwboer. The effects of treadmill training augmented by virtual reality on postural control and freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2018; 33 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effects-of-treadmill-training-augmented-by-virtual-reality-on-postural-control-and-freezing-of-gait-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed May 14, 2025.
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

« Back to 2018 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effects-of-treadmill-training-augmented-by-virtual-reality-on-postural-control-and-freezing-of-gait-in-parkinsons-disease/

Most Viewed Abstracts

  • This Week
  • This Month
  • All Time
  • Covid vaccine induced parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction
  • An Apparent Cluster of Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a Golf Community
  • What is the appropriate sleep position for Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension in the morning?
  • The hardest symptoms that bother patients with Parkinson's disease
  • Life expectancy with and without Parkinson’s disease in the general population
  • Covid vaccine induced parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction
  • What is the appropriate sleep position for Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension in the morning?
  • The hardest symptoms that bother patients with Parkinson's disease
  • Life expectancy with and without Parkinson’s disease in the general population
  • An Apparent Cluster of Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a Golf Community
  • Effect of marijuana on Essential Tremor: A case report
  • Increased Risks of Botulinum Toxin Injection in Patients with Hypermobility Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: A Case Series
  • Covid vaccine induced parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction
  • Estimation of the 2020 Global Population of Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
  • Patients with Essential Tremor Live Longer than their Relatives
  • Help & Support
  • About Us
  • Cookies & Privacy
  • Wiley Job Network
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Advertisers & Agents
Copyright © 2025 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. All Rights Reserved.
Wiley