Effect of Auditory and Visual Cueing on Freezing of Gait and Balance in Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) significantly impairs mobility and quality of life (QoL), affects 50% of the elderly population diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The current study is aimed to determine the effects of Auditory and Visual Cueing (AUC) versus conventional treadmill training on Freezing of Gait and Balance in PD patients. Methods: A total number of n=34 participants diagnosed with PD and FOG were randomly allocated in either AVC group or a TT group n=17 in each group. The study design was a randomized controlled trial conducted across three different facilities. The improvement of the participants based on treatment were monitored using a Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment, Timed Up and Go test, Ten-Minute Walk Test, and New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (NFOG-Q). Values were taken at baseline, at 6 weeks and at after 12 weeks of intervention. Results: The findings of the study had revealed that AVC shown a significant improvement across all group and turned out to be an efficacious over TT. The statistical analyses had shown that on gait and balance parameter AVC was found significantly (p=0.002) better than TT. Additionally, NFOG-Q and functional walking capacity was also appeared effectively improved in AVC group with a value at 12th weeks was significantly better (p<0.001) in comparisons to TT. Conclusion: Integration of multimodal treatment strategies into routine exercise-based protocol in managing freezing of gait among PD patients can represent better outcome in improving balance, functional mobility and gait dysfunction. Audio Visual cuing is turned out as an effective treatment protocol in managing FOG among PD.