These measures assess balance and falls risk prediction at the body , structure and function level , falls risk and balance , and falls risk at the activity level .
The motor examination of the Unified Parkinson ’s Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS-ME ) with robust psychometric analysis is a condition-specific measure with acceptable properties .
Conclusion : Six of the 68 outcome measures have strong psychometric properties for the assessment of balance and falls risk prediction in PD .
Objective : To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) .
The Four Square Step Test in individuals with Parkinson's disease: association with executive function and comparison with older adults.
BACKGROUND In Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) , motor and cognitive impairments interact to affect functional performance adversely . A valid mobility test , the Four Square Step Test ( FSST ) involves multidirectional stepping over obstacles . FSST performance may also be associated with cognitive performance . OBJECTIVES This study determined the feasibility and reliability of an obstacle-based FSST in older individuals with versus without PD , and evaluated the association of PD performance of FSST with tests of cognition . METHODS Thirty-one individuals with mild-moderate PD , evaluated while ON medications , completed the obstacle-based FSST , other mobility and cognitive measures . FSST  performance was compared between a PD participant sub-set ( n = 24 ) and 24 age-matched older adults . Data were analyzed with independent t-tests , correlations , and linear regression . RESULTS Obstacle-based FSST was feasible and reliable within sessions in those with PD . Median best FSST time among individuals with PD was 11.72 s ( 9.99 , 13.98 ) and FSST had concurrent validity with tests of mobility , and cognitive dual-tasking . Among cognitive tests , Trails Making Test B , which evaluates executive function , emerged as a sole contributor ( 49 % ) of variance .  FSST performance did not differ between those with PD and older adults . CONCLUSION The obstacle-based FSST is feasible and reliable in those with PD . The relationship between cognitive status and performance on the FSST did not appear to be strongly disease-stage dependent . Using FSST in the clinic may help assess the health status of a motor-cognitive interaction in individuals with PD
These measures assess balance and falls risk prediction at the body , structure and function level , falls risk and balance , and falls risk at the activity level .
The motor examination of the Unified Parkinson ’s Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS-ME ) with robust psychometric analysis is a condition-specific measure with acceptable properties .
Conclusion : Six of the 68 outcome measures have strong psychometric properties for the assessment of balance and falls risk prediction in PD .
Objective : To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) .