Conclusion ] Different methods , such as scales , tests , and equipment , are used for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson 's disease .
[ Purpose ] The present literature review was conducted on the use of different measures for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson 's disease .
Exercise for falls prevention in Parkinson disease
Objective : To determine whether falls can be prevented with minimally supervised exercise targeting potentially remediable fall risk factors , i.e. , poor balance , reduced leg muscle strength , and freezing of gait , in people with Parkinson disease . Methods : Two hundred thirty-one people with Parkinson disease were r and omized into exercise or usual-care control groups . Exercises were practice d for 40 to 60 minutes , 3 times weekly for 6 months . Primary outcomes were fall rates and proportion of fallers during the intervention period . Secondary outcomes were physical ( balance , mobility , freezing of gait , habitual physical activity ) , psychological ( fear of falling , affect ) , and quality -of-life measures . Results : There was no significant difference between groups in the rate of falls ( incidence rate ratio [ IRR ] = 0.73 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 0.45–1.17 , p = 0.18 ) or proportion of fallers ( p = 0.45 ) . Preplanned subgroup analysis revealed a significant interaction for disease severity ( p < 0.001 ) . In the lower disease severity subgroup , there were fewer falls in the exercise group compared with controls ( IRR = 0.31 , 95 % CI 0.15–0.62 , p < 0.001 ) , while in the higher disease severity subgroup , there was a trend toward more falls in the exercise group ( IRR = 1.61 , 95 % CI 0.86–3.03 , p = 0.13 ) . Postintervention , the exercise group scored significantly ( p < 0.05 ) better than controls on the Short Physical Performance Battery , sit-to-st and , fear of falling , affect , and quality of life , after adjusting for baseline performance . Conclusions : An exercise program targeting balance , leg strength , and freezing of gait did not reduce falls but improved physical and psychological health . Falls were reduced in people with milder disease but not in those with more severe Parkinson disease . Classification of evidence : This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with Parkinson disease , a minimally supervised exercise program does not reduce fall risk . This study lacked the precision to exclude a moderate reduction or modest increase in fall risk from exercise . Trial registration : Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12608000303347 )
Conclusion ] Different methods , such as scales , tests , and equipment , are used for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson 's disease .
[ Purpose ] The present literature review was conducted on the use of different measures for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson 's disease .