EFFECTS OF MULTISENSORY GAIT INTEGRATION TRAINING ON SENSORY ORGANIZATION AND GAIT PERFORMANCE IN PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Postural instability is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and contributes to gait dysfunction. Given that postural stability depends on multisensory integration, deficits in sensory organization may impair gait performance in people with PD (PwPD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of multisensory gait integration training (MGIT) on sensory organization and gait performance in PwPD. In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 25 participants with PD were randomly assigned to the MGIT group (n=14) or the control group (n=11). Both groups received 12 sessions of 50-minute training over 6 weeks. The MGIT group comprised marching with eyes closed on foam and treadmill walking with head movements or eyes closed, whereas the control group received conventional physiotherapy. Sensory organization, gait performance, and functional mobility were assessed using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (m-CTSIB), GAITRite system, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, respectively. Gait performance was measured, including speed, step length, cadence, and step time variability. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant group x time interactions for m-CTSIB conditions 1, 3, and 4, cadence, and TUG. The MGIT group showed significant improvements in the m-CTSIB condition 1. Both groups improved gait speed, step length, and TUG performance. Notably, the MGIT group showed a trend toward improvement in m-CTSIB conditions 3 and 4, and step time variability of the less affected side, whereas the control group showed deterioration. In conclusion, the multisensory gait integration training could improve sensory organization, gait performance, and functional mobility in PwPD.