Balance self-efficacy determines walking capacity in people with Parkinson's disease

This study aimed to examine the contribution of balance self-efficacy to walking capacity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Seventy-one patients with PD and 55 healthy subjects completed the study. Walking capacity was quantified by 6-min walk (6MW) test. Perceived balance self-efficacy was assessed by activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale. PD-specific motor impairments were determined by Unified PD rating scale (Motor Examination III) and maximum muscle strength of lower extremities. Patients with PD achieved significantly shorter 6MW distance and lower ABC score than control subjects (P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, after accounting for basic demographics and PD-specific motor impairments, ABC score remained independently associated with 6MW distance, accounting for 17.1% of the variance (P < 0.001). This is the first study demonstrating that balance self-efficacy is an important and independent determinant of functional walking capacity in patients with PD. Improving balance confidence could be crucial in promoting walking capacity in PD population.