Comparing postural balance among older adults and Parkinson’s disease patients

The objective of this study was to compare postural balance among healthy older adults and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients during one-legged stance balance. We recruited 36 individuals of both sexes and divided them into two groups: healthy older adults (HG), and individuals with PD (PG). All the participants were assessed through a single-leg balance test, with eyes open, during 30 seconds (30 seconds of rest across trials) on a force platform. Balance parameters were computed from mean across trials to quantify postural control: center of pressure (COP) area and mean velocity in both directions of movement, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral. Significant differences between-group were reported for area of COP (P=0.002) and mean velocity in anterior-posterior direction (P=0.037), where poor postural control was related to PD patients rather than to healthy individuals. One-legged stance balance was a sensitive task used to discriminate poor postural control in Parkinson individuals

FISIOTERAPIA BASEADA NO TREINAMENTO DE DUPLA TAREFA NO EQUILÍBRIO DE INDIVÍDUOS COM DOENÇA DE PARKINSON

Objetive: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a physical therapy treatment protocol based in dual task training in balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Méthods: Nine patients were evaluated before and after a physical therapy program based on an exercise protocol dual task, with 60 minutes, 2x/week. The following variables were investigated: Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and measurements of the Balance Protocol. Results: Significant differences were found in the motor domain values and the total score of UPDRS, in two sections and the total score values of BESTest, and two postures of Balance Assessment Protocol. Conclusion: The intervention was effective in balance, motor scores and total scores of the UPDRS, suggesting be an appropriate treatment for balance and evolution of the disease in the studied group.   Descriptors: Parkinson Disease; Postural Balance; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation.Objetivo: Investigar a efetividade de um protocolo de tratamento fisioterápico baseado no treino de duplas tarefas no equilíbrio de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson. Métodos: Nove indivíduos foram avaliados antes e após um programa fisioterápico baseado em um protocolo de exercícios de dupla tarefa, com terapia de 60 minutos, 2x/semana. Os seguintes instrumentos foram utilizados para avaliação: Escala Unificada para Avaliação da doença de Parkinson (UPDRS), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) e Protocolo de avaliação do Balance. Resultados: Foram encontradas diferença significantes nos valores do domínio motor e na pontuação total da UPDRS, nos valores referentes ao BESTest em duas seções e escore total, além de duas posturas do Protocolo de avaliação do Balance. Conclusão: A intervenção foi eficaz no desfecho equilíbrio, escores motor e escore total da UPDRS, o que sugere ser um tratamento adequado sobre o equilíbrio e evolução da doença no grupo estudado. Descritores: Doença de Parkinson; Equilíbrio Postural; Modalidades de Fisioterapia; Reabilitação

Dual task performance: a comparison between healthy elderly individuals and those with Parkinsons disease

Introduction: The dual tasks (DT) is learned during the whole life and a prerequisite in functional performance in different activities of daily living. Healthy elderly have reduced ability to perform motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously, compared to young adults. Parkinsons disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly and classic motor symptoms coexist with prejudice in cognitive domains. Objective: To compare balance, gait and performance in dual tasks of individuals with Parkinsons disease and healthy elderly. Material and method: Transversal study consisted of 21 individuals with PD, classified between 1.5 to 3 in Hoehn and Yahr scale and 21 healthy individuals. To evaluate the performance on simple tasks and dual tasks the participants were submitted to five simple tasks (motor) and each was associated with a cognitive task, featuring a DT. To balance and gait evaluation was used the following instruments: Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Scale and Dynamic Gait Index. Results: In respect to gait and performance in dual tasks, there was a statistically significant difference with the worst performance for the group of individuals with PD. Conclusion: It was found that the group of elderly people with PD has lower performance in the execution of concurrent tasks when compared with healthy elderly, so the DT can be introduced in rehabilitation programs to improve the performance of these patients

Dual task performance: a comparison between healthy elderly individuals and those with Parkinson’s disease

Introduction The dual tasks (DT) is learned during the whole life and a prerequisite in functional performance in different activities of daily living. Healthy elderly have reduced ability to perform motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously, compared to young adults. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly and classic motor symptoms coexist with prejudice in cognitive domains. Objective To compare balance, gait and performance in dual tasks of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and healthy elderly. Material and method Transversal study consisted of 21 individuals with PD, classified between 1.5 to 3 in Hoehn and Yahr scale and 21 healthy individuals. To evaluate the performance on simple tasks and dual tasks the participants were submitted to five simple tasks (motor) and each was associated with a cognitive task, featuring a DT. To balance and gait evaluation was used the following instruments: Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Scale and Dynamic Gait Index. Results In respect to gait and performance in dual tasks, there was a statistically significant difference with the worst performance for the group of individuals with PD. Conclusion It was found that the group of elderly people with PD has lower performance in the execution of concurrent tasks when compared with healthy elderly, so the DT can be introduced in rehabilitation programs to improve the performance of these patients

Efficacy of neurofunctional versus resistance training in improving gait and quality of life among patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract AIMS to compare the efficacy of neurofunctional training versus resistance training in improving gait and quality of life among patients with PD METHODS This randomized controlled trial included 40 participants randomly assigned to two groups through random number table generator: resistance training (RT) (n=19) and neurofunctional training (NT) (n=21). The RT group performed resistance exercises emphasizing the lower limbs and trunk, while the NT group sessions were focused on gait, functional independence and balance training. Trained physical therapists supervised both groups. The training sessions lasted 60 minutes in each group and were performed twice a week, totalizing 24 sessions. The outcomes, gait and quality of life, were measured using video gait analysis and footprint analysis; and PDQL and PDQ-39 questionnaires, respectively RESULTS intra-group comparison revealed all gait variables (stride length, step length, number of steps, time of distance walked, gait speed and cadence) improved after the NT intervention with large effect size, while only stride length improved in the RT group with moderate effect size. The between group analyses means (Δ) shows that all the variables presented statistically significant differences in the NT group. Additionally, both groups showed significant improvements in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The application of specific neurofunctional training, directed and enriched with sensorial resources, resulted in superior gait performance among individuals with PD when compared to those in the resistance training group; both treatments were efficacious in improving quality of life

Comparing postural balance among older adults and Parkinson's disease patients

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare postural balance among healthy older adults and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients during one-legged stance balance. We recruited 36 individuals of both sexes and divided them into two groups: healthy older adults (HG), and individuals with PD (PG). All the participants were assessed through a single-leg balance test, with eyes open, during 30 seconds (30 seconds of rest across trials) on a force platform. Balance parameters were computed from mean across trials to quantify postural control: center of pressure (COP) area and mean velocity in both directions of movement, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral. Significant differences between-group were reported for area of COP (P=0.002) and mean velocity in anterior-posterior direction (P=0.037), where poor postural control was related to PD patients rather than to healthy individuals. One-legged stance balance was a sensitive task used to discriminate poor postural control in Parkinson individuals