BACKGROUND: A literature review on the effects of treadmill training with or without body support for patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease is reported. Gait parameters and functional capacity were studied. METHODS: The review examined the literature from January 1st 2000 through April 1st 2010. Fourteen studies were retained for analysis including a total of 303 participants. The protocols varied with training durations from 30 minutes to 12 weeks. Four studies used a harness for partial body weight support. RESULTS: Treadmill training enabled an improvement in walking speed and length of stride. Functional capacities and scores on the United Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) were improved. DISCUSSION No formal conclusion can be made concerning the efficacy of treadmill training for parkinsonism because of the lack of large-scale multicentric randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSION: This rehabilitation approach is interesting but cannot be a substitute for conventional therapy.

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