Does the postural stability of patients with Parkinson's disease affect the physical activity?

Postural instability is one of the cardinal features in Idiopathic Parkinson's disease. It is a significant factor of disability in Parkinson's disease. We aimed to examine the physical activity levels in patients with Parkinson's disease comparing with healthy subjects and their association with the postural stability. Fifty-six Parkinson's disease patients and 58 healthy subjects were involved. The disease-specific disability of patients was determined by using Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale and Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. The physical activity levels of participants were evaluated using SenseWear Arm Band activity monitor. The participants used the activity monitor for seven consecutive days. The postural stability was assessed using NeuroCom Balance Master system. The Parkinson's disease group was found to take fewer steps and to have shorter duration of sleep and sedentary behavior but a higher level of energy expenditure than the healthy control group (P < 0.05). In Parkinson's disease group, the data obtained from the activity monitor were found to be in correlation with disease-specific disability and the parameters of NeuroCom Balance Master system (P < 0.05). We found that the physical activity levels of patients with a mild or moderate stage of Parkinson's disease were lower compared to healthy subjects and were affected by the disease-specific symptoms, dynamic postural instability, and walking function. To increase the activity level in Parkinson's disease, these factors should be aimed to improve, as well as designing the personalized physiotherapy programs starting from the early-mid stage.