Life-space mobility, balance, and self-efficacy in Parkinson disease: A cross-sectional study

Life-space mobility (LSM) is a mobility measure that assesses the physical and social environments through which people move during their daily lives.

To characterize LSM among individuals with Parkinson disease and explore the relationship between LSM, self-efficacy, and balance.

A cross-sectional study.

Movement disorder clinic at a teaching hospital.

Eighty-eight participants with Parkinson disease.

Not applicable.

The dependent variable (LSM) was assessed using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) instrument. Balance evaluation and balance self-efficacy were assessed using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, respectively. Other variables, such as age, disease staging (Hoehn-Yahr staging system), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), were also measured.

The mean LSA score was 65.2 (SD: 22.8) and mean age was 63.2 years (SD: 10.5 years). Among the 88 patients, 32 (36.4%) were classified as restricted LSM. Age (p = .03), disease severity (p = .02), cognition (p = .02), and motor subtype (p = .006) were associated with more restricted LSM among participants. A multiple linear regression model demonstrated that LSM can be predicted by balance performance (R²  = 0.377; p < .001).

Age, disease severity, cognition, motor subtype, balance self-efficacy, and balance performance are associated with LSM. Understanding and improving balance and self-efficacy in people with Parkinson disease could facilitate community mobility and promote functional independence and health maintenance.