Robot-Assisted Gait Training vs NMES in Parkinson's Disease

In the researchers' words

This prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial aims to compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training and quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) when added to a standard exercise rehabilitation program in patients with Parkinson disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Both groups will receive a standard rehabilitation program, while one group will additionally undergo robot-assisted gait training and the other group will receive quadriceps NMES. The interventions will be administered five days per week for six weeks. Clinical outcomes, including balance, functional mobility, gait performance, and disease severity, will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up (week 14). In addition, ultrasound-based assessments of quadriceps muscle thickness and cross-sectional area will be performed to investigate muscle adaptations. The results of this study are expected to provide comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness of these two rehabilitation approaches and contribute to optimizing rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson disease.