Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function of patients with Parkinson’s disease

J.-H. Song, P.-Y. Zhou, Z.-H. Cao, Z.-G. Ding, H.-X. Chen, G.-B. Zhang

Department of Neurology, Xiangyang Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China. zgb1969@126.com

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• Neurology

OBJECTIVE: Discuss the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with PD participated in this study. The control group used a routine drug treatment for eight weeks. The comprehensive treatment group used conventional drug treatment with sound rhythm metronome released as the rhythmical auditory stimulation, in accordance with the ground fixed ribbon rhythmic visual stimulation walking training for eight weeks. After four and eight weeks, the two groups of subjects took the walking parameters test, and used the disease Parkinson score scale to assess the damaged degree of motor function of PD patients. The Berg Balance Scale was used to evaluate the balance function of the PD patients. A six minute walk test was used to evaluate the walking motor function of the patients.

RESULTS: The comparison between the groups suggests that after treatment of rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation group, the step size increased, frequency decreased, pace increased, and PD score scale part II decreased. As well, the PD score scale part III reduced, the six minute walking distance increased, and the Berg Balance Scale score increased significantly. There were significant differences compared with the control group after the treatment (p < 0.01). Comparison of time points suggests that after rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation group trained for eight weeks, the step size increased, frequency decreased, pace increased, and PD score scale part II were reduced. As well the PD score scale part III reduced, six minute walking distance increased, Berg Balance Scale increased. There were significant differences compared with the parameters of training for four weeks (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation can improve motor and balance function of patients with PD.

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