Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Studies described as true or quasi-experimental were eligible for inclusion. Studies classified as pre-experiments were excluded. True experimental studies appear to have been randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of PT were eligible for inclusion. The PT intervention in the included studies comprised one or more of the following elements: physical exercises, sensory-enhanced PT, PT exercises, occupational therapy, education, skills training, behavioural treatment, speech therapy, mobility training, and rhythmic auditory stimulation. The control intervention in the included studies comprised one or more of the following elements: no intervention, conventional PT, assessments, regular exercises, non-specific psychological treatments, PT, karate arm training, waiting list, and self internally-paced training. The total duration of the intervention, where stated, ranged from 9 to 157.5 hours.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with Parkinson's disease were eligible for inclusion. The mean age of the patients in the included studies was 66 years, while the mean duration of Parkinson's disease was 8 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that evaluated the effect of Parkinson's disease were eligible for inclusion. The review assessed ADL, walking speed, stride length and neurological signs.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.