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 People in Early- or Mid-Stage Parkinson Disease: A 16-Month Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Exercise confers short-term benefits for individuals with Parkinson disease ( PD ) . Objective The purpose of the study was to compare short- and long-term responses among 2 supervised exercise programs and a home-based control exercise program . Design The 16-month r and omized controlled exercise intervention investigated 3 exercise approaches : flexibility/balance/function exercise ( FBF ) , supervised aerobic exercise ( AE ) , and home-based exercise ( control ) . Setting This study was conducted in outpatient clinics . Patients The participants were 121 individuals with PD ( Hoehn & Yahr stages 1–3 ) . Interventions The FBF program ( individualized spinal and extremity flexibility exercises followed by group balance/functional training ) was supervised by a physical therapist . The AE program ( using a treadmill , bike , or elliptical trainer ) was supervised by an exercise trainer . Supervision was provided 3 days per week for 4 months , and then monthly ( 16 months total ) . The control group participants exercised at home using the National Parkinson Foundation Fitness Counts program , with 1 supervised , clinic-based group session per month . Measurements Outcomes , obtained by blinded assessors , were determined at 4 , 10 , and 16 months . The primary outcome measures were overall physical function ( Continuous Scale — Physical Functional Performance [ CS-PFP ] ) , balance ( Functional Reach Test [ FRT ] ) , and walking economy ( oxygen uptake [ mL/kg/min ] ) . Secondary outcome measures were symptom severity ( Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale [ UPDRS ] activities of daily living [ ADL ] and motor subscales ) and quality of life ( 39-item Parkinson 's Disease Quality of Life Scale [ PDQ-39 ] ) . Results Of the 121 participants , 86.8 % , 82.6 % , and 79.3 % completed 4 , 10 , and 16 months , respectively , of the intervention . At 4 months , improvement in CS-PFP scores was greater in the FBF group than in the control group ( mean difference=4.3 , 95 % confidence interval [CI]=1.2 to 7.3 ) and the AE group ( mean difference=3.1 , 95 % CI=0.0 to 6.2 ) . Balance was not different among groups at any time point . Walking economy improved in the AE group compared with the FBF group at 4 months ( mean difference=−1.2 , 95 % CI=−1.9 to −0.5 ) , 10 months ( mean difference=−1.2 , 95 % CI=−1.9 to −0.5 ) , and 16 months ( mean difference=−1.7 , 95 % CI=−2.5 to −1.0 ) . The only secondary outcome that showed significant differences was UPDRS ADL subscale scores : the FBF group performed better than the control group at 4 months ( mean difference=−1.47 , 95 % CI=−2.79 to −0.15 ) and 16 months ( mean difference=−1.95 , 95 % CI=−3.84 to −0.08 ) . Limitations Absence of a non-exercise control group was a limitation of the study . Conclusions Findings demonstrated overall functional benefits at 4 months in the FBF group and improved walking economy ( up to 16 months ) in the AE group
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 .