Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not exercise reduces the risk of falls in Parkinson’s patients
Study Design: Review of three English language randomized control trials (RCTs) published in 2003, 2007 and 2010.
Data Sources: 3 randomized controlled trials published after 1999 were obtained using Pubmed.
Outcomes Measured: The Allen study used a Parkinson’s disease fall risk scoring. The Ashburn study used patient dairies to record incidence of falls. The Hirsch study used Sensory Orientation testing assessing the trials resulting in falls.
Results: Allen et al and Ashburn et al found no significant reduce in the incidence in falls while Hirsch et al was able to show a significant reduction in the incidence of falls.
Conclusion: Evidence supporting the role of exercise in reducing the incidence of falls in Parkinson’s patients in inconclusive and conflicting at this time. A more standard exercise program and method of collecting results is needed for studies that can last longer and represent a larger portion of the population of Parkinson’s patients
