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

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Mezieres 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 Mezieres 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 (), at the end of the rehabilitative program (), and at the 12-week follow-up (). Results. In the Mezieres group, the BBS () and trunk flexion test () improved significantly at and remained the same at . Between groups, significant changes were reported in FGA () and UPDRS Total () at and in FGA () at . Conclusion. The Mezieres approach is efficacious in improving the flexibility of the trunk and balance in PD patients.