Effects of a treadmill and oculomotor dual-task intervention vs. -nordic walking on balance in Parkinson’s disease patients − a pilot study

TL;DR

A treadmill and oculomotor training improved balance and non-motor symptoms in early Parkinson's patients better than Nordic walking.

Contribution

This pilot study introduces a novel treadmill-based oculomotor dual-task intervention for Parkinson’s rehabilitation.

Findings

Treadmill-oculomotor training improved unilateral and static balance more than Nordic walking.

Oculomotor training enhanced non-motor aspects like emotional well-being and reduced stigma.

Visuo-motor coordination is a critical target for early Parkinson’s therapy.

Abstract

•Treadmill-oculomotor dual-task intervention improved unilateral balance in early-onset PD.•Compared to Nordic walking, oculomotor training enhanced non-motor and affective domains.•Static balance improved significantly under oculomotor dual-task conditions.•Visuo-motor coordination may represent a critical target in early-onset Parkinson’s therapy.

Treadmill-oculomotor dual-task intervention improved unilateral balance in early-onset PD.

Compared to Nordic walking, oculomotor training enhanced non-motor and affective domains.

Static balance improved significantly under oculomotor dual-task conditions.

Visuo-motor coordination may represent a critical target in early-onset Parkinson’s therapy.

Oculomotor function has been established as a critical factor influencing balance, and both domains are frequently impaired in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite increasing recognition of younger PD cases, targeted therapeutic research remains limited.

This pilot study evaluated the effects of a treadmill-based oculomotor dual-task intervention in individuals with PD, comparing its impact on balance and non-motor outcomes with that of Nordic walking (NW).

Using a sequential within-subjects design, this study contrasts a four-week NW intervention with a subsequent four-week oculomotor intervention. Baseline, interim, and post-intervention assessments were conducted, with data collected using both qualitative and quantitative measures.

The treadmill and oculomotor intervention led to greater improvements in unilateral and static balance parameters compared to NW, particularly under horizontal eye-movement conditions. While motor scores improved comparably in both interventions, non-motor domains such as emotional well-being and stigma improved only after the oculomotor protocol.

Treadmill-based oculomotor dual-task training appears to be a viable and time-efficient alternative to NW for improving specific aspects of balance and non-motor function in PD. Given its indoor feasibility and short duration, this approach may enhance accessibility in clinical and home-based rehabilitation settings.

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