Dry Immersion as a Novel Physical Therapeutic Intervention for Rehabilitation of Parkinson’s Disease Patients: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background The study was aimed at evaluating therapeutic effect of analogue microgravity in a form of “dry immersion” (DI) on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods A group of 12 PD patients aged 67 (63–68) years, Hoenh and Yahr staged 1–3, participated in this study. During DI a subject wrapped in a thin waterproof material was immersed in a bathtub at 31°C. The rehabilitation program included 7 DI sessions (45 min each, 2 times per week, on-medication). The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale parts I, II and III (UPDRS-I/II/III) and the Hamilton’s Depression Rate Scale (HDRS) were applied before the 1^st, after 4^th and 7^th DI session, and 2 weeks and 2 months after the whole DI program.

Results The UPDRS-III score, HDRS, and rigidity signs score have significantly decreased by 16–35% two weeks after the DI program. Two months after completion of the DI program all studied parameters regained their pre-treatment values. The UPDRS-I, II, tremor and akinesia signs score did not respond to the DI program.

Conclusion The DI program promises rehabilitation potential for patients with parkinsonism.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Das Ziel dieser Studie war die Erforschung der therapeutischen Wirkung der analogen Mikrogravitation in Form der „Trocken Immersion“ (TI) auf motorische und nicht motorische Symptomatik bei den Parkinsonkranken.

Methoden An der Studie haben 12 Parkinsonkranke im Alter von 63–68 Jahren teilgenommen (nach Hoenh und Yahr im Stadium 1–3). In der Zeit der TI wurden die Testpersonen regelmäßig in eine Wanne mit warmem Wasser (31°C) gelegt, dabei waren sie in dünnes, wasserdichtes Material gewickelt. Das Programm der Rehabilitation bestand aus 7 Sitzungen á 45 Min, 2-mal die Woche. Der aktuelle Status der Testpersonen wurde mit dem UPDRS-I, II, III und dem HDRS beurteilt. Dies tat man vor der 1., nach der 4. und 7. Sitzung sowie nach 2 Wochen und 2 Monaten am Ende des TI-Programms.

Ergebnisse Nach dem UPDRS-III und dem HDRS sind die Punkte um 16–35 gesunken, außerdem ließen Muskelstarre schon nach der 7. Sitzung der TI und nach 2 Wochen nach. Nach dem UPDRS-I, UPDRS-II, Muskelzittern und dem Akinesie haben sich die Punkte kaum verändert. Nach bereits 2 Monaten ohne TI kehrten die Testpersonen in denselben Zustand, wie vor der Behandlung, zurück.

Fazit Das Rehabilitationsprogramm auf der TI-Basis erwies sich als erfolgreich und verspricht den Parkinsonkranken eine deutliche Verbesserung.

Key words

Parkinson’s disease - dry immersion - rehabilitation

Schlüsselwörter

Parkinson-Krankheit - Trocken Immersion - Rehabilitation

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