Static posturography analysis for postural instability in patients with Parkinson's disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms like rigidity and postural instability.
• These symptoms can lead to balance impairments, altered foot structure, and asymmetry.
• Assessing balance changes is crucial for understanding PD progression and fall risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate balance changes in Parkinson's disease patients.
• To investigate the relationship between foot morphology, weight distribution, and postural sway in PD.

Main Methods:

• Static posturography was used to assess 56 PD patients and 30 controls.
• Key variables included foot type, weight distribution, and center of pressure (COP) sway (statokinesigram and stabilogram).

Main Results:

• PD patients frequently exhibited pes cavus (92.8%) and shifted weight to the hindfoot.
• Significantly larger COP sway areas were observed in PD patients compared to controls.
• Correlations were found between weight distribution and COP sway, varying with postural stability and visual conditions.

Conclusions:

• Progressive rigidity in PD may impair compensatory mechanisms, affecting foot structure and weight distribution.
• Increased COP sway and altered biomechanics contribute to impaired balance and increased fall risk in PD patients.