Cued task-specific training is better than exercise in improving sit-to-stand in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial

We examined whether 4 weeks Of audio-visual (AV) cued task-specific training could enhance sit-to-stand (STS) and whether the treatment effects could Outlast the treatment period by 2 weeks. Fifty-two Subjects with PD completed the study. They were randomly allocated to receive 4 weeks of AV cued task-specific training, conventional exercise (Ex), or no treatment (control). Each Subject was assessed before, at the end of 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and 2 weeks after treatment ended. After 2 weeks of training, the AV group significantly increased the peak horizontal velocity (by 13%, P<0.01) when compared with the Ex group. After 4 weeks of training, AV group increased both peak horizontal and vertical velocities, respectively by 18% and 51%, and reduced the time taken to complete STS by 25%. These improvements were greater than those of the Ex group, who showed 8% (nonsignificant between-group) and 20% (P<0.05 between-group) increases respectively for peak horizontal and vertical velocities, and 10% decrease in movement time (P<0.05). Worth-noting is the improvements in AV group could be carried over to 2 weeks after treatment ended. These findings provided concrete evidence for the use of AV cued task-specific training to reeducate STS in patients with PD. (C) 2007 Movement Disorder Society.