Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects physical, psychological, and social quality of life. Square Stepping Exercise (SSE) is an effective balance training program to prevent falls and to stimulate cognitive function in the elderly; however, no study has analyzed the effect of SSE in people with PD. The main objective is to investigate whether the application of SSE is safe, applicable, and can improve balance, and is effective in preventing falls, improving cognitive and psychological aspects and thus maximize quality of life in people with PD. Methods/Design: SSE will be performed three times per week for 8 weeks with an additional month follow-up after the intervention. Sixty people with PD will participate, randomly distributed into two groups: experimental group (SSE: n = 30) and control group (Usual care: n = 30). The primary measurements will be: (1) Applicability, (2) Safety, (3) Balance, and (4) Annual number of falls. Secondary measurements will be: (1) Sociodemographic information, (2) Physical condition, (3) Health-related quality of life, (4) Depressive symptoms, (5) Cognitive aspects, (6) Perceived functional social support, and (7) Anticipatory cognition.

Background/Objectives: The 6 min walk test (6MWT) has been used to measure the level of walking capacity in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the use of a non-linear circuit has not yet been investigated deeply. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the test–retest reliability of the 6 min walk test in a rectangular circuit in people with PD. Methods: Forty-two people with PD (men = 27, women = 15), mean age 66 ± 9.61 years, participated. All of them were in ON state. Each patient performed the 6MWT on 2 test days separated by 1 week, walking at a constant speed on a 20 m × 3.5 m circuit. Test–retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), minimal detectable change (MDC), and standard error of measurement (SEM), and Student’s t-test was applied to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between the test and the retest. Results: The ICC values for the total sample were excellent (>0.90) in both men and women. In addition, they had similar reliability, although slightly higher in women. The results showed that, for the total sample, a MDC < 17% can be considered as a true change for this procedure. The SEM percentage was 6.1%. Conclusions: The 6MWT, performed on a rectangular circuit, demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Background: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has been used to measure the level of functional capacity in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the use of a non-linear circuit has not yet been investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the 6-minute walk test in a rectangular circuit in people with PD. Methods: Forty-two people with PD (men=27, women=15), mean age 66±9.61 years, partici-pated. Each patient performed the 6MWT on 2 test days separated by 1 week, walking at a constant speed on a 20m x 3.5m circuit. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Student's t-test was applied to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between the test and the retest. Results: The ICC values for the total sample were excellent (< 0.90) in both men and women. In addition, they had similar reliability, although slightly higher in women. The results showed that, for the total sample, a smallest true difference (SRD) < 17% can be considered as a true change for this procedure. The standard error of measurement (SEM) percentage was 6.1. Conclusions: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), performed on a rectangular circuit, is a reliable and valid tool for assessing functional capacity in PD patients.