Rehabilitative Approach for Gait and Balance Improvement in Parkinson’s Diseases and Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Study
摘要
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a short-term structured functional training program on a 63-year-old female diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and peripheral neuropathy (PN) secondary to type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The subject exhibited bilateral cogwheel rigidity, balance difficulties, and severe gait impairment, leading to a fear of falling (FOF) and reduced mobility. Initial assessments included plantar pressure evaluation, spatiotemporal gait analysis, foot sensation tests, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, confirming balance issues, gait asymmetry, and sensory deficits. The nine-day training program comprised balance and coordination exercises, strengthening routines, and gait training. Post-intervention results showed significant improvements in balance and gait. Key improvements included reduced variability in right-left step length, increased stride length improved by 11.26%, increased step width by 57.14%, increased walking velocity by 5.55%, and improved heel plantar pressure symmetry. The TUG test time improved from 15.89 to 12.86 s, indicating a 19.07% enhancement in balance. These findings underscore the benefits of a structured functional training program in improving gait and balance for individuals with PD and PN secondary to T2DM. The study highlights the importance of biomechanical assessments to quantify rehabilitation outcomes.