Affiliations: [a] Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| [b] Movement Analysis and Neurological Rehabilitation Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| [c] Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Milan, Italy
| [d] Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| [e] Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| [f] Research Center, Methodist University Center IPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| [g] “Gait Analysis Lab” IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Aline Souza Pagnussat, PhD, Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, 245 Sarmento Leite Street, Porto Alegre, RS, Zip code: 90050-170, Brazil. Tel.: +55 51 3303 8833; E-mail: alinespagnussat@gmail.com.
Abstract: Background:The decrease of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) serum levels has been related to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases as well as to neural plasticity and rehabilitation. Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) has been investigated as a complementary therapy for Parkinson Disease (PD). Objectives:(1) to investigate the effects of AMPS on BDNF and Cortisol serum levels of subjects with PD; (2) to evidence the interplay between BDNF and Cortisol serum levels and the functional mobility improvement after AMPS treatment. Methods:Thirty-three subjects with PD were randomized into two groups: effective stimulation (AMPS, n = 16) or placebo stimulation (AMPS SHAM, n = 17). Fourteen healthy aged-matched subjects were included as a reference group. Each AMPS group received eight sessions of treatment using a commercial medical device (Gondola™). BDNF and Cortisol serum levels, spatiotemporal gait parameters and TUG test were assessed at baseline and after eight sessions of treatment. Results:After the treatment, AMPS group showed significantly higher levels of BDNF and lower levels of Cortisol compared to AMPS SHAM. AMPS group also showed a positive effect on gait pattern as a higher improvement on gait velocity, stride length, and TUG performance was shown. Conclusion:Effective AMPS treatment increased BDNF and decreased Cortisol serum levels and produced improvements in functional mobility.
