Robotic and Traditional Rehabilitation for Older Adults with Parkinsons Disease Evaluating Innovative Treatments to Improve Walking and Reduce Falls

What this Trial Is About

Parkinsons disease is a common cause of disability in older adults, characterized by motor problems including balance issues that do not improve with standard dopaminergic treatments. This research aims to explore new rehabilitation methods using robotic devices to enhance gait and reduce fall risk in elderly patients with Parkinsons disease. The study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 195 patients, designed to assess the effectiveness of these innovative approaches. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups a control group receiving traditional rehabilitation therapy, a group using the Tymo system robotic device combined with traditional therapy, or a group using the Walker View robotic treadmill alongside traditional therapy. Each participant will complete 10 treatment sessions over 5 weeks, with two sessions per week. The control group will receive 50 minutes of traditional therapy per session, while the robotic groups will receive 30 minutes of traditional therapy plus 20 minutes with their assigned robotic device. Throughout the study, patients will be evaluated at the start, after treatment, and during follow-ups at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years to monitor outcomes such as fall risk, gait performance, and fear of falling. Assessments include task-oriented exercises using robotic platforms and traditional therapy, with long-term monitoring to understand sustained effects. This approach supports understanding how robotic rehabilitation may influence motor function and safety in elderly Parkinsons patients over time.

Innovative Models in the Rehabilitation of the Elderly With Parkinson's Disease Through Technological Innovation