Research Reports (Original Article)
Factors Associated with Balance Disorders in Patients with Mild to Moderate Parkinson’s Disease
2016 Volume 44 Issue 1 Pages 28-35
Details
2016 Volume 44 Issue 1 Pages 28-35
Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the factors determining balance disturbance in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Methods: The study population consisted of 32 patients with stage 1–3 PD on the modified Hoehn and Yahr staging system. We measured Berg Balance Scale (BBS), MMSE, UPDRS partII–13–15 and III–27–30 (scores of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, axial symptoms), BMI, grip strength, isometric knee extensor strength, fall frequency in the past month, and levodopa equivalent daily dose. The results were examined by multiple linear regression analysis.
Results: On multiple linear regression analysis, the factors related to BBS total score were grip strength and UPDRS partIII–28 (posture) (adjusted R2 = 0.30, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study indicated that balance disturbance in patients with mild to moderate PD is associated with grip strength as an indicator of systematic muscle mass and with postural deformities. These findings suggest that muscle strength and postural deformities may be suitable preventive targets in PD patients in the early stages of the disease.
