Risk of falls using the Biodex Balance System in non-faller patients with Parkinson Disease

Author(s)

Ramos, Guilherme Silva ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva-Batista, Carla ^{[1, 3]} ; Palma, Bartira Pereira ^[1] ; Ugrinowitsch, Carlos ^[1] ; da Cunha, Telma Fatima ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Paulista, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Exercise Neurosci Res Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SOMATOSENSORY AND MOTOR RESEARCH; DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Purpose Biodex Balance System (BBS) is a low-cost platform used to assess balance in different populations. However, no study has used this tool to evaluate the risk of falls related to balance changes in non-faller individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD). Objective The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the balance in non-faller individuals with mild to moderate PD compared to healthy elders. Methods Forty-six PD patients at stages 2 and 3 were assessed in the `on' state (fully medicated) as well as 31 age-matched healthy controls. They were submitted to the fall risk protocol of BBS and performed three 20-s trials and a 60-s rest interval between the trials. Results Non-faller PD patients had an increased instability when compared to the healthy controls in the anteroposterior (controls: 1.54 +/- 1.00 vs. PD patients: 2.91 +/- 0.93) and mediolateral directions (controls: 1.21 +/- 0.57 vs. PD patients: 1.42 +/- 0.46), resulting in a great overall instability in the PD patients (controls: 1.28 +/- 0.61 vs. PD patients: 4.09 +/- 1.22). A significant correlation between overall instability and UPDRS-III (motor symptoms) in individuals with PD was observed. Conclusion BBS was able to identify the risk of falls in non-fallers, showing that PD patients have a greater risk of falls in unstable conditions than age-matched healthy elders, mainly due to the large sway in the anteroposterior direction. Furthermore, the severity of motor symptoms was related to overall instability which can increase the risk of falls in PD patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/13115-9 - Effects of resistance training with instability on clinical outcomes, spinal mechanisms, and brain metrics in individuals with freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease
• Grantee: Carla da Silva Batista
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/04970-4 - Influence of functional and strength training on neuromuscular adaptations, functionality and quality of life in elderly with Parkinson's Disease
• Grantee: Carla da Silva Batista
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)