Leonardo Boccuni
Flexibility, Resistance, Aerobic, Movement Execution (FRAME) training program to improve gait capacity in adults with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis: protocol for a single-cohort feasibility trial.
Autori
- LEONARDO BOCCUNI (SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, IRCCS E. MEDEA, DEPARTMENT OF CONEGLIANO, TREVISO, ITALY – PHYSIOTHERAPIST)
- MARCO BORTOLINI (SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, IRCCS E. MEDEA, DEPARTMENT OF CONEGLIANO, TREVISO, ITALY – PHYSIOTHERAPIST)
- CRISTINA STEFAN (SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, IRCCS E. MEDEA, DEPARTMENT OF CONEGLIANO, TREVISO, ITALY – PHYSIATRIST)
- ANDREA MARTINUZZI (SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, IRCCS E. MEDEA, DEPARTMENT OF CONEGLIANO, TREVISO, ITALY – NEUROLOGIST)
Presentatore
LEONARDO BOCCUNI (SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, IRCCS E. MEDEA, DEPARTMENT OF CONEGLIANO, TREVISO, ITALY)
Modalità
Poster Session
Abstract
“Background
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) is a group of hereditary neurological disorders. Paramount symptoms are progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity, which have a negative impact on gait capacity (speed and endurance). Although regular physical therapy is recommended as lifelong management strategy, no structured treatment programs have been validated so far. Therefore, the aim of the present study will be to investigate feasibility and effectiveness of a composite training program to improve flexibility, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, motor control, and balance.
Methods
20 adults with HSP will undergo a total of 10 (minimum) and 16 (maximum) therapist-guided sessions (120 minutes each), scheduled once or twice per week, according to patients’ preferences. By the end of the intervention, patients will receive a manual and link to video tutorials to promote long-term exercise at home.
Primary and secondary outcomes
Patients will be assessed at T0 (before the intervention), at T1 (after the intervention), and T2 (three-month follow-up). The primary outcome will be feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence, absence of adverse events, patient’s satisfaction), while secondary outcomes will investigate improvements in gait speed (10-Meter Walk Test), endurance (6-Minute Walking Test), and specific gains that may have contributed to improved gait capacity (reduced spasticity, improved muscle strength and balance).
Scientific and clinical relevance
The validation of a composite training program in adults with HSP is pivotal to investigate the effectiveness of distinct neurorehabilitation strategies in future controlled trials, and to inform clinicians about the feasibility and potential efficacy of such multimodal approach.”