Randomized controlled trial of the Alexander Technique for idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Author:

Stallibrass C1,Sissons P2,Chalmers C3

Affiliation:

1. School of Integrated Medicine, University of Westminster, London, UK

2. Peta Sissons Consultancy, London, UK

3. Department of Statistics, LSE, London, UK

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the Alexander Technique, alongside normal treatment, is of benefit to people disabled by idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Design: A randomized controlled trial with three groups, one receiving lessons in the Alexander Technique, another receiving massage and one with no additional intervention. Measures were taken pre and post-intervention, and at follow-up, six months later. Setting: The Polyclinic at the University of Westminster, Central London. Subjects: Ninety-three people with clinically confirmed idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Interventions: The Alexander Technique group received 24 lessons in the Alexander Technique and the massage group received 24 sessions of massage. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were the Self-assessment Parkinson's Disease Disability Scale (SPDDS) at best and at worst times of day. Secondary measures included the Beck Depression Inventory and an Attitudes to Self Scale. Results: The Alexander Technique group improved compared with the no additional intervention group, pre-intervention to post-intervention, both on the SPDDS at best, p = 0.04 (confidence interval (CI) –6.4 to 0.0) and on the SPDDS at worst, p = 0.01 (CI –11.5 to –1.8). The comparative improvement was maintained at six-month follow-up: on the SPDDS at best, p = 0.04 (CI –7.7 to 0.0) and on the SPDDS at worst, p = 0.01 (CI –11.8 to –0.9). The Alexander Technique group was comparatively less depressed post-intervention, p = 0.03 (CI –3.8 to 0.0) on the Beck Depression Inventory, and at six-month follow-up had improved on the Attitudes to Self Scale, p = 0.04 (CI –13.9 to 0.0). Conclusions: There is evidence that lessons in the Alexander Technique are likely to lead to sustained benefit for people with Parkinson's disease.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Rehabilitation,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Reference21 articles.

Cited by 152 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3