The Effect of Balance-focused Exercise Programme in Enhancing the Solus-muscle Activation During Gait Initiation for People With Parkinson Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor dysfunction . The basal ganglia play a significant role in regulating muscle excitation, and its dysfunction in PD leads to abnormal activation patterns in muscles such as the soleus, crucial for walking. This contributes to symptoms like bradykinesia, resulting in slower movement, shuffling gait, and difficulty initiating walking. Prolonged activation of the plantar flexor muscles, especially the soleus, disrupts the forward momentum needed for normal walking.

Gait initiation (GI) is a crucial component of walking that requires a balanced muscle activity and postural stability. The GI process requires a propulsive force to move the body across a distance (from a bipedal stance to repeating gait cycles) while maintaining postural stability. Thus, GI could be challenging for people with neurological condition such as people with Parkinson (PWP), where GI is usually impaired.

Any modification to the GI program could affect postural stability and the velocity of the movement and any impairment in muscle activation of the lower limb will interfere with the GI process, .

This underscores the significance of the altered muscle excitation pattern observed in PWP and its potential impact on motor control. This imbalance can contribute to the prolonged muscle activation times and differential speed changes observed in muscle activation patterns.

Bradykinesia is a slow movement during the execution of common physical activities, such as the activities of daily living (ADL). That could be because PWP tend to keep the plantar flexor muscles mainly (solus) contracted for longer time. This prolonged muscle activity interferes with the gravity-assisted forward rotation of the body resulting adverse affects on the timing of subsequent events during gait initiation.

Therefore, therapies aimed at restoring the balance during GI may help improve motor control and balance in individuals, thus improve GI speed with Parkinson's disease.

Balance-focused rehabilitation strategies, including interactive exercises, are promising in addressing delays in GI. Several previous studies explored the effect of balance exercise of the GI in patients with Parkinson. For example, in a systematic exploration of cueing therapy's impact on gait and balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease, revealed its efficacy. This approach, the cueing therapy was highlighted as a promising intervention for addressing gait and balance challenges in Parkinson's disease. Another significant approach for functional rehabilitation is the utilization of balance boards, as underscored by. Investigating the effectiveness of a Wii Fit™-based balance board exercise program in the elderly population. Consequently, Mhatre et al. concluded that the Wii Fit™ balance board exercise program represents a valuable tool for augmenting balance and mitigating fall risk among older adults. In the context of functional rehabilitation, these interventions, particularly cueing therapy and balance board exercises, signify promising avenues for improving motor function and addressing challenges associated with gait and balance. Consideration of these therapeutic approaches is crucial for devising comprehensive and effective rehabilitation strategies tailored to the unique needs of individuals undergoing functional rehabilitation.

However, there is a need for further research to explore effective rehabilitation strategies tailored to different disease severity levels. To improve the maintenance and rehabilitation of community walking ability in PWP, there is a need to understand the details of the kinematics, as well as the muscle activation characteristics during while GI.

Inclusion criteria

• participants diagnosed by their neurologist with Parkinson's disease (moderate to severe stage)
• stable on anti-Parkinson's drugs
• able to walk independently without a frame or walking stick.
• Able to walk for more than 10 mins unaided
• without cognitive disability (Able to follow simple instructions and communicate, orally),
• have good vision (with or without corrective aids)

Exclusion criteria

• are pregnant
• cardiac problems exacerbated by exercise
• currently complaining of joint or muscle problems that affect walking ability
• known to have neurological conditions (other than Parkinson) that affect walking ability
• uncorrected hearing or vision problems
• history of severe motion sickness
• history of vestibular or balance problems
• an active skin condition that could be irritated by contact with sticky tape.