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Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system (1, 2), and mainly characterized by tremor, rigidity (1, 3), bradykinesia (1, 3), hypokinesia, akinesia (3) and postural abnormalities (1, 2), which trigger several limitations and disability in affected individuals. In addition, the PD patient may have cognitive disorders (3, 4), complications in speech and swallowing (2, 3), struggle for participating in social life (2) and even depression (5, 6). Therefore, all these signs and symptoms interfere negatively on quality of life (QOL) of those (5, 7, 8).
Postural instability and gait impairment are major determinants of disability in PD, from the responses often unsatisfactory to dopaminergic treatment (9). Thus, for those who do not respond to pharmacological treatment (3, 9) rehabilitation therapy is widely recommended.
The Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a method in which the patient performs, safely and efficiently, exercises on a vibrating platform regarding the limitations of the patient. Thus, this modality fits into the ideal PD physical therapy model, well pointed out by Morris (3), once the exercises can be performed statically, sitting, leaning and dynamic (10). In the last decade, there is growing interest from neuroscientists and therapists when using WBV (11) as a new therapeutic modality that improves neuromuscular performance (9, 10, 11).
Ebersbach et al. (9) compared the effects of WBV (4 weeks protocol - two sessions of 15 minutes/day in 5 days/week) with the conventional therapy in 21 PD patients (10 were treated WBV and 11 were treated with conventional physiotherapy) and concluded that there was no difference between the two treatments. Additional studies suggest that WBV has increased muscle strength (12), the posture control (13) and quality of life (14).
Tinetti Test or Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment - POMA (15) has been named in most studies as a reliable instrument for assessing changes in balance and gait abnormalities in PD (16). However, Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life-questionnaire (PDQL-BR) can measure the impact of PD on QOL (17). It is worth noting that there are few studies that address the effects of WBV on these patients QOL (18, 19) and, to this research, no studies were found, that have quantified the relationship of balance and gait in QOL in individuals with PD, who did not respond to drug treatment, treated by WBV.
Consequently, this study aims to elucidate the effects of a simple WBV protocol in PD patients who do not respond to drug treatment, assessing the balance, gait and QOL.
Methods
Ethical features
The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the Nuremberg Code (1947), respecting the norms of human research of the National Health Council (CNS 196/96), and approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the University of Pará (UEPA) (Protocol N. 28/2011).
Samples
The series consisted of 10 PD volunteers, Brazilians, not amputated, between stages 1-3 of the Hoehn & Yahr scale (HY), (20) score between 19-30 points for literate or 19-28 points for illiterates in cognitive assessment by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (21), who did not respond to pharmacological treatment and waiting the beginning of conventional treatment in the physiotherapy sector UEAFTO (Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Ambulatory Teaching Unit). The research was conducted at the Clinic Figueiras Reabilitação, the morning shift, during the period July-August 2011. Traumatology rehabilitation is the specialty of the clinic, located in Travessa 9 de Janeiro, 1566 - São Braz - Belém - PA.
Experimental setup
The implementation of the study occurred in three steps:
i) It was carried out analyzing the charts of all patients with a clinical diagnosis of PD who were not in attendance at UEAFTO (n = 23), in order to verify the presence of exclusion criteria of the study, i.e., patients stage 4 and 5 of the disease according to HY, patients with systemic commitments, complete disability, wheelchair users, people with pacemakers, kidney disease, gallstones, thrombosis (the last six months), acute lumbago, unconsolidated fracture, joint prosthesis (for less than 12 months), lower limb amputations (excluding fingers), Raynaud's disease and cognitive decline (less than 19 points on the MMSE score). Following examination, the patients in course were contacted and informed about the goals and procedures of evaluation and treatment. Individuals who agreed to participate signed an informed consent form (ICF), accomplishing the sample size used in the study (n = 10). The data of the volunteers were organized and stored in envelopes with their initial registration. Subsequently, followed an individual assessment using the instruments below:
The assessments were conducted in a reserved place, with suitable size (18m2), respectable lighting, exterior noise and interruptions free and individuality (except when patients commandeer the presence of the companion).
For the assessment of balance and gait, Tinetti Test was used. In this test, the patient starts sitting on a hard, rigid and armrestless chair. Points are awarded according to the parameters presented by examined, corresponding to balance, indicated as Tinetti Balance (TB): sitting balance; to lift; attempt to lift; the first 5 seconds behaviors after lift; standing balance; test in three fields (the examiner gently pushes the sternum of the individual); eyes closed; turning 360° and sitting.
The same principles were applied for gait analysis, indicated as Tinetti Gait (TG): the patient is standing, wanders down the hall or across the room and back to a normal pace with rapid steps, but using the usual support. The score is the observation of the following parameters: start of the gait; length and height of the steps; symmetry of the steps; continuity of steps; direction; trunk; distance ankles.
As for the assessment of QOL in PD, was held through the PDQL-BR-questionnaire. The volunteers answered 37 questions about issues related to factors of PD (systemic, social and emotional). Responses were scored according to the frequency: (1) all the time; (2) usually; (3) a few times; (4) rarely; (5) never. The results were documented to a posterior judgment after 12 treatment sessions.
ii) The protocol was established according to the parameters of short-time exercises (22) with 12 sessions on the vibration platform Globus® (Globus Italia Srl., Codognè, ITA), 2mm amplitude and 35Hz. Followed the following treatment protocol:
-There were four exercises (squats, plantar flexion, isometric contraction of members and single-leg balance) three sets each (Figure 1);
Figure 1 Exercises held in vibration platform: A – Squat; B – plantar flexion; C – isometric contraction of members and D – single-leg balance
-In the first three sessions, patients underwent 3 sets of 20s and 20s exercise of rest in order to adapt them to exercise (Figure 2A);
Figure 2 Whole body vibration treatment protocol: A – Held the first three sessions; B – Held the last nine sessions
-After the third session, the treatment was 40s of exercise and 20s of rest (Figure 2B).
iii) After 12 sessions, Tinetti Test was taken again and reapplied to PDQL-BR.
Statistical method
By using Microsoft Excel® 2010 spreadsheet, data were compiled in order to obtain the averages and age standard deviations from the participants. Tests of normality and equal variance were used to make sure that the paired Tinetti test had met the criteria for use in this analysis. When one of the criteria was not met, the nonparametric Wilcoxon test was performed. The variables analyzed before and after treatment were: TB, TG, Tinetti Total, Total PDQL-BR and subcategories of PDQL-BR (Parkinson, systemic, emotional and social).
In order to check if the sex factor influenced the variables mentioned above, we used the two-way ANOVA for repeated measures. Furthermore, we analyzed the Pearson Correlation Coefficient between the score of the Tinetti Test and QOL. Statistical procedures were performed in SigmaStat 3.5 statistical software (Systat Software, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). The level of significance of α = 0.05 was adopted.
Results
Data collected before and after the exercise intervention with the platform in 10 volunteers, have provided information on the WBV effects in this population.
The distribution of gender was characterized by equivalent frequency of 50% male and 50% female. The average age of the volunteers group was 61.70 ± 9.57 years, 59.40 ± 11.87 years for males and 64.00 ± 7.21 years for females. As for the HY scale, the group was characterized by 40% in stage 1, 50% in stage 2 and 10% in stage 3, and 60% females were in stage 1 and 80% male in stage 2. After training, only the so-called patient 8 changed from stage 2 to 1 in HY.
WBV Treatment does not significantly alter the balance of the volunteers, examined by TB [W = 6.000; p = 0.438], unlike the TG [t (9) = 3.973; p = 0.003] and Tinetti Total [t (9) = -4.792; p ≤ 0.001], which had higher scores after treatment with the vibrating platform (Figure 3). The sex does not influence the values of TB [F (1.19) = 0.094; p = 0.762], TG [F (1.19) = 0.618; p = 0.443] and Tinetti Total [F (1.19) = 0.092; p = 0.765].
Investigating the subcategories of PDQL-BR, there was a significant increase in the subcategories Parkinson [t (9) = -6.130; p ≤ 0.001] and Systemic [t (9) = -5.518; p ≤ 0.001], with no significant change in the subcategories Emotional [t (9) = -0.789; p = 0.450] and Social [t (9) = -1.489; p = 0.171] (Figure 4A). The total result of PDQL-BR also showed an increase after treatment with WBV [t (9) = -6.580; p ≤ 0.001] (Figure 4B).
Figure 4 Parkinson Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQL-BR): A – Subcategories: Parkinson, Systemic, Emotional and Social, before and after treatment respectively; B – Total Score
There was no any interaction between sex and the values of the PDQL-BR subcategories before and after treatment, Parkinson [F (1.19) = 0.203; p = 0.659], systemic [F (1.19) = 0.0612; p = 0.808], emotional [F (1.19) = 0.597; p = 0.451], Social [F (1) = 0.00438; p = 0.948] and Total PDQL-BR [F (1) = 0.160; p = 0.694].
There was a positive correlation between the Tinetti Test and QOL both before (r = 0.699, p = 0.024) and after (r = 0.729, p = 0.016) of treatment (Figure 5).
Discussion
PD leads to changes in the balance/gait and QOL of PD patients. The Tinetti Test and PDQL-BR. can quantify these changes respectively. Thus, these tests may assist in research to develop tools that work on the improvement of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Currently, the WBV is a treatment modality that has been widely used for improvement in neuromuscular performance of patients with Parkinson's, but still needs more research to understand the effects of this therapy, as well as test new protocols, especially for short period. Therefore, this study observed the effects of a short WBV protocol in PD patients, evaluating the effects on balance, gait and QOL.
Arias et al (23) analyzed the effects of WBV on QOL of 21 PD patients in a double -blind study, presence of two groups - group treated with WBV (n = 10) and placebo group (n = 11), by using a protocol that consisted only in the patient's stay on the vibration platform, separate in a stable and comfortable position feet, and knees slightly bent, following 5 sets of stimulation of 1 minute each, with a rest period of 1 minute between the series in 12 sessions, over 5 weeks in non-consecutive days and with a frequency of 6 Hz. After 12 sessions, it was suggested that the benefits of WBV reported in the literature are due to a placebo response, because it found no difference between groups. In the present study, although no placebo group, there are different use of reliable tests to determine whether there is a change in balance, gait and QOL in patients treated with WBV. As a progressive disease, it is expected that WBV decelerate the impairment caused by the disease. Thus, this study followed the deficiency of gait, balance and QOL by comparing test scores before and after treatment. Moreover, the protocol used was more complex, with the completion of four exercises (squats, plantar flexion, isometric contraction of members and single leg balance).
The sample was very specific, characterized by patients who did not respond to drug treatment, different from studies available in the literature, that were referred to physical therapy; thus, it is suggested that improvement in the context of commitment of individuals found in this study were derived only from the treatment in the WBV.
The treatment time on the vibration platform was only 5 minutes in the first 3 sessions and 10 minutes in the remaining 9 sessions. The objective was to test a protocol for short period under the proposed protocol by Foss et al. (22), because previous studies have shown that continued exposure to vibration platform training can cause muscle fatigue (24) and reduce strength of muscle contraction (25), thus compromising the results.
The methodology used in this study to assess the effects of WBV in patients with PD, on balance, gait and QOL is deemed reliable, trustworthy, efficient (16) and low cost (26). The exercises on the vibration platform were well tolerated by patients. During the implementation of the treatment protocol, blood pressure was monitored and no significant change can cause adverse cardiovascular events or reports of malaise, weakness and muscle fatigue in any of the volunteers. No previous study has reported side effects related to WBV’s treatment (27). The Tinetti test (15) has been used in the clinical setting since 1986, and since then, several studies (16) used it as a tool to quantify the changes in balance and gait in PD. In the present study, we noticed a statistically significant improvement in Tinetti Total (11.50 ± 7.72 %). This is in agreement with the findings of Bautmans et al. (10) in which the group of seniors who performed WBV exercises had noteworthy changes better than the elderly control group, in the Tinetti test.
This study also assessed the perceived quality of life of individuals with PD through PDQL-BR, once this questionnaire is the one used as the specific instrument being validated in research on QOL for Brazilian individuals with PD (17).
By the development of new treatment methods, as proposed in this study, it is necessary to evaluate the results through instruments that may reflect the factors that influence the QOL of patients. The PDQL-BR allows us to monitor the effectiveness of treatments of PD patients by score obtained by conducting a questionnaire of 37 questions relating to Parkinson's symptoms, systemic, social and emotional (17).
In the present study, QOL, according to PDQL-BR, also increased (14.82 ± 7.61%). This suggests better understanding of the individual in relation to their QOL, but it is not possible to predict the stage of PD, by HY scale, may suffer regression by higher scores obtained by PDQL-BR or vice versa, due to its particularities. However, an individual moved from stage 2 to stage 1 in HY.
The results obtained for each sub-category of PDQL-BR revealed significant changes in items referring to symptoms of Parkinson's disease and systemic. Other studies make use of similar instruments to assess QOL in PD, namely, Lana et al. (28) observed higher perceptions of QOL in dimensions "activities of daily living" and "mobility" when used the PDQ-39 questionnaire. Unlike the questionnaire used in this study, the PDQ-39 is a validated U.S. English, which was translated into Brazilian Portuguese. Another study assessed QOL by using the PDQ-39 and found that shortages of motor origin negatively influence on the perception of quality of life (29).
Yousefi et al. (26) compared the effects of 10 weeks of exercise therapy in combination with administration of drugs in 12 patients with PD, in stage 3 in the range of HY with 12 patients who just received the drugs. They concluded that therapeutic exercises were effective in perception of QOL in patients with PD in conjunction with drug therapy. These results confirm the findings of this research, because the improvement in QOL was, on average, almost 15%.
It is noteworthy that the treatment time was used around 3-4 times lower than that used in conventional physical therapy (9). Thus, this short period protocol becomes acceptable to patients as well since it is fast and with satisfactory results.
In the present study, the sample was characterized by equal distribution between men (50%) and women (50%), and we pointed out that there was no difference in treatment responses between the sexes. Although Wooten et al. (30) claim that the incidence of PD in males is 1.5 times higher than in women.
The adopted parameters on the vibration platform are according to the proposed studies in the elderly population (a = 2 mm, f = 35 Hz) (31). Thus, these parameters provided greater certainty to people during the course of treatment without interfering with the freedom of movement. Thus, this treatment modality with these parameters is consistent with the model of ideal physical therapy for Parkinson proposed by Morris (3).
In this study, emphasis was placed on the muscles of the lower limbs, based on improvement of muscle strength of the lower limbs with freely and actively exercises on the variation of gravity conditions that can be produced by vibrating platform. It is essential for patients with PD to perform physical exercises. This study is the only one to show the relationship between balance and gait (through the scores of the Tinetti test) with the quality of life (through PDQL-BR). Through this, a positive correlation between the score of the Tinetti test with a score of PDQL-BR was observed. Such correlation increased after WBV training, suggesting that therapeutic modalities that increase the score of the Tinetti test also induce improvement in QOL of PD patients. This is because the benefits of physical exercise in elderly patients with PD may be obtained by increasing the blood flow to the brain, which carries oxygen and other energy substrates that act in the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters, by the increasing of antioxidant enzymes activity, allowing increased defense capacity against oxidative stress in the central nervous system, with similar stroke in other tissues (32).
Conclusion
The WBV exercises performed on the vibration platform, according to the parameters used in this study, in patients with PD, showed promising results that support future studies and encourage its use to improve clinical conditions related to disturbances of gait, balance and QOL, according to the results of the Tinetti Test and PDQL-BR.
