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 .
Does Integrative Medicine Enhance Balance in Aging Adults? Proof of Concept for the Benefit of Electroacupuncture Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
Background : Postural balance and potentially fall risk increases among older adults living with neurological diseases , especially Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) . Since conventional therapies such as levodopa or deep brain stimulation may fail to alleviate or may even worsen balance , interest is growing in evaluating alternative PD therapies . Objective : The purpose of the current study was to assess improvement in postural balance in PD patients following electroacupuncture ( EA ) as an alternative therapy . Methods : 15 aging adults ( 71.2 ± 6.3 years ) with idiopathic PD and 44 healthy age-matched participants ( 74.6 ± 6.5 years ) were recruited . The PD participants were r and omly assigned ( at a ratio of 2:1 ) to an intervention ( n = 10 ) or to a control group ( n = 5 ) . The intervention group received a 30-min EA treatment on a weekly basis for 3 weeks , while the control group received a sham treatment . Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the final therapy . Measurements included balance assessment , specifically the ratio of medial-lateral ( ML ) center-of-gravity ( COG ) sway to anterior-posterior ( AP ) sway ( COGML/AP ) and ankle/hip sway during eyes-open , eyes-closed , and eyes-open dual-task trials , the Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) , as well as quality of life , concerns for fall , and pain question naires . Results : No difference was observed for the assessed parameters between the intervention and the control group at baseline . After treatment , an improvement in balance performance was observed in the intervention group . Compared with the healthy population , PD patients prior to treatment had larger COGML/AP sway with more dependency on upper-body movements for maintaining balance . Following EA therapy , COGML/AP sway was reduced by 31 % and ankle/hip sway increased by 46 % in the different conditions ( p = 0.02 for the dual-task condition ) . The clinical rating revealed an overall improvement ( p < 0.01 ) in mentation , behavior , and mood ( UPDRS part I , 49 % ) , activities of daily living ( UPDRS part II , 46 % ) , and motor examination ( UPDRS part III , 40 % ) . There was a significant reduction ( p < 0.02 ) in the specific items regarding UPDRS fall status ( 67 % ) and rigidity ( 48 % ) . Changes were small and nonsignificant in the controls ( p > 0.29 ) . Conclusions : This pilot study demonstrates improvement in rigidity and balance following EA . These preliminary results suggest EA could be a promising alternative treatment for balance disturbance in PD
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 .