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 .
Action Observation Improves Freezing of Gait in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Background . Freezing of gait ( FOG ) is a disabling impairment for people with Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) and may not respond to medications . The effectiveness of physical therapy for FOG is debatable . Action observation strategies to overcome FOG may enhance physical training . Objective . To assess whether action observation , combined with practicing the observed actions , may reduce FOG episodes . Methods . Twenty patients with PD entered a single-blind trial and were r and omly assigned to the experimental ( Action ) or control ( L and scape ) groups . Those in the Action group watched video clips showing specific movements and strategies to circumvent FOG episodes , whereas those in the L and scape group watched video clips of static pictures showing different l and scapes . All patients underwent identical physical therapy training , 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks . Results . The FOG Question naire score and the number of FOG episodes were significantly reduced in both groups after the training period . At follow-up examination ( 4 weeks after the end of the intervention ) , a significant reduction in the number of FOG episodes was observed only in the Action group . Motor performance ( walking and balance ) and quality -of-life assessment s were significantly improved in both groups at the end of training and at follow-up . Conclusions . Our results suggest that action observation has a positive additional effect on recovery of walking ability in PD patients with FOG . Further studies on the combination of observation and imitation to supplement a physical training program may result in an innovative rehabilitative approach for FOG
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 .