A Selective Corrective Exercise to Decrease Falling and Improve Functional Balance in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Gerontology

Background:

• Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized by posture instability and gait disorders, leading to frequent falls and fractures.
• Fall-related trauma is a primary cause of injury in PD patients.
• Current anti-PD medications do not address falling, highlighting the need for exercise interventions in PD rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 10-week corrective exercise program with gait training activities (GTA) on fall frequency, fear of falling, functional balance, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in PD patients.
• To compare the effectiveness of exercises performed with and without a balance pad.

Main Methods:

• A 10-week corrective exercise program, with 3 weekly 60-minute sessions, was implemented.
• Participants were randomly assigned to a control group, an exercise group with a balance pad (EGBP), or an exercise group without a balance pad (EGNBP).
• Statistical analysis included ANOVA and paired t-tests to compare outcomes.

Main Results:

• The EGBP group demonstrated significant improvements in the number of falls (NOF), Fall Efficacy Scale-international (FES-I), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and TUG test (P=0.001).
• The EGNBP group showed significant improvements in FES-I (P=0.031), BBS (P=0.047), and TUG (P=0.012), but not in NOF (P=0.225).
• The control group exhibited no significant changes in the measured variables.

Conclusions:

• Selective corrective exercise performed on a balance pad is effective in improving gait and reducing falls in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease.
• Balance training using a balance pad is a key component for enhancing functional balance and reducing fall risk in PD patients.