Impact of Mézières Rehabilitative Method in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Mézières method in improving trunk flexibility of the back muscles and balance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Materials and Methods. Thirty-six patients were randomized into 2 groups: the Mézières treatment group and the control group (home exercise group). The primary outcome was the improvement in balance per the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the trunk flexibility of the back for the anterior flexion trunk test. Also, we evaluated pain, gait balance for the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), disease-related disability for the Modified Parkinson's Activity Scale and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the quality of life, and the functional exercise capacity. All the measures were evaluated at baseline (T0), at the end of the rehabilitative program (T1), and at the 12-week follow-up (T2). Results. In the Mézières group, the BBS (p < .001) and trunk flexion test (p < .001) improved significantly at T1 and remained the same at T2. Between groups, significant changes were reported in FGA (p = .027) and UPDRS Total (p = .007) at T1 and in FGA (p = .03) at T2. Conclusion. The Mézières approach is efficacious in improving the flexibility of the trunk and balance in PD patients.

Efficacy of Specific Trunk Exercises in the Balance Dysfunction of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The individuals were diagnosed according to the UK Brain Bank criteria for idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease [ 16 , 32 , 33 , 34 ] and/or by clinical diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist using the Hoehn & Yahr scale [ 14 , 33 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…Both static and dynamic balance were evaluated in eight of the nine articles included using posturography with strength platforms [ 14 , 16 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 37 , 38 ]. Significant changes were found for balance in three of the studies [ 16 , 32 , 34 ].…”

“…Motor status was evaluated in all the studies using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III) [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ] or the Movement Disorder Society-UPDRS (MDS-UPDRS III) [ 14 , 16 ]. The MDS-UPDRS is a revision of the UPDRS originally developed in the 1980s.…”

“…The specific trunk exercises were based on different methods, such as Halliwick aquatic exercises, the Mezieres method or Global Postural Re-education ( Table 4 ). More specifically, the exercises focused on musculature strengthening [ 14 , 32 , 35 ], central stabilization training [ 14 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], trunk mobility [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 37 ], stretching of trunk musculature [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 ], and postural exercises [ 33 , 36 , 38 ]. The duration of the sessions varied between four weeks [ 14 , 33 , 36 ], five to eight weeks [ 16 , 38 ] and 12 weeks [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 ].…”

“…More specifically, the exercises focused on musculature strengthening [ 14 , 32 , 35 ], central stabilization training [ 14 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], trunk mobility [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 37 ], stretching of trunk musculature [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 ], and postural exercises [ 33 , 36 , 38 ]. The duration of the sessions varied between four weeks [ 14 , 33 , 36 ], five to eight weeks [ 16 , 38 ] and 12 weeks [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 ]. All the interventions were conducted on the ground, except for one carried out in water [ 37 ].…”