Effects of supervised slackline training on postural instability, freezing of gait, and falls efficacy in people with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether supervised slackline training reduces the risk of falls in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods: Twenty-two patients with idiopathic PD were randomized into experimental (EG, N = 11) and control (CG, N = 11) groups. Center of Pressure (CoP), Freezing of Gait (FOG), and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) were assessed at pre-test, post-test and re-test. Rate perceived exertion (RPE, Borg’s 6–20 scale) and local muscle perceived exertion (LRPE) were also assessed at the end of the training sessions.

Results: The EG group showed significant improvements in FOG and FES scores from pre-test to post-test. Both decreased at re-test, though they did not return to pre-test levels. No significant differences were detected in CoP parameters. Analysis of RPE and LRPE scores revealed that slackline was associated with minimal fatigue and involved the major lower limb and lumbar muscles.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that slacklining is a simple, safe, and challenging training and rehabilitation tool for PD patients. It could be introduced into their physical activity routine to reduce the risk of falls and improve confidence related to fear of falling.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are twice as likely to have falls compared to patients with other neurological conditions.

• This study support slackline as a simple, safe, and challenging training and rehabilitation tool for people with PD, which reduce their risk of falls and improve confidence related to fear of falling.

• Slackline in people with PD yields a low tiredness or fatigue impact and involves the major lower limb and lumbar muscles.

Keywords:

• Motor control
• balance
• physical activity
• health
• rehabilitation
• self-confidence

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to patients of the Parkinson Association (Ponferrada, Spain) and Mrs. María Encina Gutiérrez Marqués (President of the Bierzo Parkinson Association) for her commitment in participating in this research project.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.