A literature review on effectiveness of treadmill training on gait performance for Parkinson’s patients

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by progressive motor impairments, notably gait disturbances. Treadmill training (TT) is a widely discussed rehabilitation strategy for gait enhancement in PD patients, but results across studies vary.

Objective: This review evaluates the efficacy of treadmill training on gait parameters—such as speed, stride length, and postural stability—in PD patients, using a systematic approach.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies included focused on treadmill-based interventions in individuals diagnosed with PD, with outcomes on gait performance. Quality assessments and data extraction followed PRISMA standards.

Results: Ten studies involving sample sizes ranging from 1 to 36 participants were analyzed. The studies demonstrated consistent improvements in gait metrics such as walking speed, stride length, postural stability, and reduction in freezing episodes. Perturbation treadmill training and robot-assisted gait training yielded more substantial improvements for patients with severe impairments or freezing of gait (FOG+).

Conclusion: Treadmill training, especially when integrated with supportive strategies (e.g., BWSTT, rTMS, VR, perturbation), is effective in improving gait in PD patients. High-frequency and progressive-intensity programs offer optimal benefits, and tailored interventions further enhance outcomes.