Effects of Structured Functional Turning Practice Within a Time-Matched Exercise Program on Functional Mobility, Gait Speed, and Balance in Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Objectives: Turning frequently precipitates falls in Parkinson's disease (PD) but is rarely trained systematically. We examined whether replacing part of a conventional exercise session with structured turning practice improves functional mobility, gait speed, and balance in early-stage PD.

Methods

Fifty patients with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-2; aged 50-70 years) were randomized to a time-matched program in which 18-20 min of each 45-50 min session was devoted to turning practice and the remainder to a reduced conventional program (n = 25), or to a full conventional program (n = 25), three times weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Timed Up and Go test (TUG); secondary outcomes were gait speed (10-Meter Walk Test) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Outcome assessment was not blinded. Groups were compared with baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).