Effectiveness of a physical therapy treatment on static and dynamic balance of subjects with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Balance disorders are one of the most prevalent signs in Parkinson's disease (PD) and are commonly associated to loss of independence. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a specific physical therapy training program on PD patients' static and dynamic balance. This controlled clinical trial assessed 23 patients with idiopathic PD, divided into experimental and control groups, by means of the Berg balance scale and the timed up-&-go test. The experimental group was submitted to a six-month protocol of physiotherapy exercises emphasising motor and cognitive function at the rate of three one-hour sessions per week. After treatment, results showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in PD subjects' balance as compared to control group in both tests. The proposed physical therapy protocol of associated motor and cognitive stimuli thus proved effective in improving static and dynamic balance in subjects with Parkinson's disease.