Session Information
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2016
Session Title: Parkinson's disease: Clinical trials, pharmacology and treatment
Session Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Location: Exhibit Hall located in Hall B, Level 2
Objective: To assess balance and gait disturbances in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with falls and freezing of gait (FOG).
Background: Falls and freezing of gait are disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease which lead to: restricted mobility, dependency in ADL and decreased quality of life. They are difficult to assess and treat due to their episodic, unpredictable character.
Methods: 116 PD patients (H&Y: 1-4) were examined. Patients were questioned about frequency of falls in the previous 12 months. Episodes of freezing were assessed according to the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q). Balance was assessed on the force platform with quiet and active standing tests, Functional Reach, BPOMA (Tinetti) and the retropulsion test (Pastor). Quiet standing tests were performed with open and closed eyes, on firm and soft surfaces. Active standing was assessed with Rhythmic Weight Shifts Tests (RWST) in lateral and anteroposterior directions and two dynamic tasks. Gait was assessed with Timed Up and Go, 10 m walk, and 360 turn.
Results: 69 (60%) patients had at least 1 fall in the previous 12 months, 72 (62%) had episodes of FOG and 51 (44%) PD patients reported both falls and FOG. Fallers have significantly more severe FOG then non-fallers. Patients with falls and FOG have significantly greater lateral sway in all quiet standing tests in comparison to non-fallers and non-freezers, respectively. RWST in lateral and anteroposterior directions indicate significantly decreased ranges of volitional sway in lateral and anteroposterior directions, respectively, as also significantly longer movement time and a smaller number of reached targets in two dynamic tasks in patients with falls and FOG. Patients with falls and FOG were significantly worse in both balance and gait tests in comparison to non-fallers and non-freezers, respectively.
Conclusions: Assessment of balance and gait disturbances in PD can be useful in risk detection of falls and FOG as well as planning of rehabilitation.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
J. Stozek, M. Rudzinska, S. Bukowczan, A. Szczudlik. Balance and gait disturbances in Parkinson’s disease patients with falls and freezing of gait [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2016; 31 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/balance-and-gait-disturbances-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-with-falls-and-freezing-of-gait/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2016 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/balance-and-gait-disturbances-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-with-falls-and-freezing-of-gait/