Balance, Gait, Knee Extensor Strength, And Functional Performance Among Fallers And Non-fallers With Parkinson's Disease

Falling is a common problem for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is insufficient information regarding what differentiates fallers from non-fallers. Such information is important for targeted rehabilitation interventions to reduce risk of falling in individuals with PD. PURPOSE: To characterize differences in balance, gait, knee strength, and functional performance between individuals with PD who are fallers or non-fallers. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design. Twenty-seven adults with mild to moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr [H&Y] stage I-III) (7 female, 20 male, mean age=69 years old, UPDRS Motor III=28, mean H&Y Stage=2.3) participated in this study. Outcome measures were: balance (limits of stability: maximum endpoint excursions, movement velocity, directional control), gait (velocity, stride length), knee extensor strength (isokinetic quadriceps peak torque performed at 60°·s-1), and functional performance (50-foot walk, Up&Go). RESULTS: Of the 27 participants, fourteen reported one or more falls during the previous six months. There was no significant difference in the mean H&Y stages of fallers vs. non-fallers. Analyses of mean differences in outcome measures are shown below. Fallers showed significantly lower or worse scores on limits of stability, gait, knee extensor strength, and functional performance. CONCLUSION: Individuals with PD who experience falls have diminished physical capacities in balance, gait, knee extensor strength, and functional performance. Exercise interventions should target these characteristics to improve the physical abilities of individuals with PD to reduce their risk of falling.TABLESupported by NIH Grant R01 NS047130