Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Assessment of postural control in individuals with Parkinson's disease during functional activities under different
Patrícia Gonçalves Broto1, Larissa Alessandra Pereira1, Hayslenne Andressa Gonçalves Araújo de Oliveira2
1Neurofunctional Physical Therapy Research Group (GPFIN), Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Background:
The mechanisms of postural control during functional activities in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the postural control of individuals with PD under varying attentional demands while engaged in functional activities.
Method:
Cross-sectional study comprising of 50 individuals with PD assessed by way of posturography during the following tasks: 1) pouring and drinking a glass of water, 2) putting on and buttoning up a shirt, and 3) organizing objects on a shelf. Each task was carried out in two 30-s attempts, under simple-task and dual-task (DT) conditions. The parameters analyzed were the Center-of-pressure (COP) area, amplitude, velocity, and mean frequency in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions.
Results:
Regarding the eating activity, the addition of DT decreased the COP area (12.10 vs. 10.67; p = 0.004), ML amplitude (3.88 vs. 3.86; p = 0.029), AP (2.27 vs. 2.11; p = 0.003) and ML velocities (1.90 vs. 1.83; p < 0.001); as well as increased ML mean frequency (0,26 vs. 0,27; p = 0,044). During the dressing activity, DT decreased AP amplitude (4.90 vs. 4.53; p = 0.009). In addition, the DT decreased the COP area (55.82 vs. 53.77; p = 0.010), AP (7.23 vs. 6.81; p = 0.038) and ML (10.66 vs. 10.47; p = 0.034) sway amplitudes, as well as AP (3.70 vs. 3.38; p < 0.001) and ML (4.09 vs. 3.77; p < 0.001) sway velocities.
Conclusion:
Individuals with PD presented decreased postural sway when performing DT, possibly due to increased axial stiffness and the decreased active and coordinated control of the trunk and lower limb muscles when faced with increased attentional demands.
