Citation

Sunvisson H, Lökk J, Ericson K, Winblad B, Ekman SL. J. Neurosci. Nurs. 1997; 29(4): 255-260.

Affiliation

Centre of Caring Sciences, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. Helena.Sunvisson@cvvp07.hs.sll.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9307929

Abstract

For one week in autumn, over a period of three consecutive years, a total of 12 persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) participated in daily walks of about 4 kilometers in a mountain area in Sweden in order to train rhythm, balance and coordination on the soft heaths. These persons were 60-78 years of age and had been found to be between stage 1 and stage 3 on the Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale. The aim of the study was to find out whether a week of daily walks in the Swedish mountains would affect the motor performance of persons with PD, objectively and quantitatively assessed by a computer-assisted, opto-electronic movement analysis program, the Posturo-Locomotor-Manual (PLM) test. As compared with those before the journey, the results showed improved motor performance both immediately after the walking week and also at 3 but not 6 months later. The first year of participation showed the most pronounced improvements. The results demonstrate a long-lasting improvement in decreased movement time, indicating enhanced general motor performance and also an improved simultaneous index (SI), indicating a possible effect on the central nervous system. These findings, along with participants' narratives about what they did after returning home, may be indicative of strengthened self-confidence.

Language: en