Affiliations: [a] Department of Human Movement, “G. d'Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy | [b] Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, “G. d'Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Laura Bonanni, Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G.d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italia. Tel./Fax: +39 0871562019; E-mail: l.bonanni@unich.it
Note: [1] These two authors equally contributed to the work.
Abstract: Background:Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical parkinsonism clinically characterized by prominent axial extrapyramidal motor symptoms with frequent falls. The clinical response to L-dopa is poor and there is strong need for alternative treatment strategies. Methods:We tested the efficacy of a rehabilitative program combining a dynamic antigravity postural system (SPAD) and a vibration sound system (ViSS) on postural instability of 10 patients affected by PSP. The patients underwent SPAD and VISS treatments with a 3 sessions/week schedule for 2 months. Patients were clinically examined at baseline, every week during the 2-months treatment, and at 1 month after the end of treatment for the following parameters: baropodometry static, baropodometry dynamic and stabilometry. PSP rating scale and PD36 quality of life scale were also administered. Results:The combined rehabilitative program produced improvement of all the parameters explored (p = 0.01–0.05) at the end of treatment as compared to baseline. Baropodometric dynamics improvement lasted until the end of follow-up. Conclusion:Our results suggest that a specific rehabilitation program could improve postural instability in PSP patients. A more continuous treatment protocol would allow stabilizations of results.
Keywords: Progressive supranuclear palsy, rehabilitation, SPAD, VISS
