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.
Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease according to established clinical criteria
Age between 40 and 80 years
Hoehn and Yahr stage II-III
Ability to walk independently with or without assistive devices
Severe cognitive impairment or inability to follow instructions
Hoehn and Yahr stage IV-V Parkinson's disease
Severe musculoskeletal disorders affecting gait (e.g., advanced osteoarthritis, recent fracture)
History of lower extremity surgery within the last 6 months