Multisystem Balance Training Reduces Injurious Fall Risk in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Trial

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Falls are a major concern for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD), impacting quality of life.
• While balance training is known to reduce falls, its effect on injurious falls in PD is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if multisystem balance training reduces injurious falls in people with Parkinson disease.
• To determine if this training modifies key fall risk factors, including Balance Evaluation Systems Test scores and dual-task timed-up-and-go times.

Main Methods:

• An 8-week randomized controlled trial compared a balance group (n=41) to an upper limb control group (n=43).
• Outcomes, including injurious fall rates and fall risk factors, were assessed post-training and at a 12-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• No injurious falls occurred in the balance group immediately post-training.
• The balance group showed reduced high fall risk based on Balance Evaluation Systems Test and dual-task timed-up-and-go.
• At 12 months, the balance group had fewer injurious fallers and a trend towards lower high fall risk on the Balance Evaluation Systems Test.

Conclusions:

• Multisystem balance training demonstrates potential in reducing injurious falls in Parkinson disease patients up to 12 months post-intervention.
• The training effectively lowers balance-related fall risks, suggesting its utility in fall prevention strategies for Parkinson disease.