Effects of aquatic physical exercise on the kinematic gait pattern in patients with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study

Aim. To determine the effects of an aquatic-based physical exercise program on gait parameters of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients and methods. A total of nine patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD (stages I-Ill according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale) carried out an aquatic physical exercise program which lasted for five months, with one session per week. A three-dimensional biomechanical analysis was used to determine the effects of the program on several kinematic variables (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step time, single and double support time, angles of the hip, knee and ankle joints) which were assessed by a treadmill-walking test. Results. At the end of the program, significant improvement in walking speed, stride length and on the relationship between single and double support time (p < 0,05). Although improvements in all tested ranges of motion were obtained, these did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. Aquatic-based physical exercise seems to have positive effects in some aspects of the gait kinematics parameters present in the typical gait pattern of patients with PD.