Efficacy of a single session of anticipatory postural adjustments training to support people with Parkinson's overcoming freezing of gait: a multi-methods approach.
Yuri Russo, Zijing Wang, Jiaxi Ye and 7 others
PMID 40376751WHAT IT FOUND
A single session of video-based anticipatory postural adjustment training increased the success rate of stepping out of freezing episodes in people with Parkinson's.
It also boosted confidence and reduced fear, though it did not reduce the frequency or duration of the freezes themselves.
Key findings
01The percentage of successful steps following a freeze was significantly higher after APA training (76%) compared to baseline (57%).
02There were no significant differences in the duration, incidence, or percentage of time spent freezing between baseline and after APA training.
03When APA training was presented first, participants reported significant increases in confidence and reductions in fear and worrisome thoughts.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (19 participants) with few actual freeze events during testing. Baseline was always tested first, so practice effects or familiarization might influence results, though the control group helps mitigate this. The study was conducted in a controlled VR lab, not in the patient's home or community. Participants were on medication, so the effect of medication fluctuations was not tested. Four participants dropped out due to fatigue before completing all phases.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The work was funded by Parkinson's UK and the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this training will reduce the frequency or duration of freezing episodes. The study found no significant change in how often or how long people froze; the benefit was specifically in the success rate of stepping out of a freeze once it occurred.