Effects of freezing of gait on balance in patients with Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Neurological research (New York) 2023-05, Vol.45 (5), p.407-414
• Main Authors: Korkusuz, Süleyman, Seçkinoğulları, Büşra, Özcan, Ayşenur, Demircan, Emine Nur, Çakmaklı, Gül Yalçın, Armutlu, Kadriye, Yavuz, Ferdi, Elibol, Bülent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; balance; Female; Gait; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - etiology; Humans; Male; movement disorders; Neurological rehabilitation; Parkinson Disease - complications; Parkinson's disease; Postural Balance
• ISSN: 0161-6412; 1743-1328
• DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2022.2149510

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of freezing of gait (FOG) on static and dynamic balance. Twenty patients with Parkinson's disease with and without FOG [PD+FOG (68,6±6,39 years) and PD-FOG group (70,6±4,57 years)] and 10 healthy individuals (68,4±4,92 years) with similar demographic characteristics were included in the study. Balance was compared between the three groups. Balance was evaluated with clinical tests Limits of stability (LoS) and body sway were measured using the E-LINK FP3 Force Plate and the Korebalance Balance Evaluation System, which measure the balance in static and dynamic conditions. Center of pressure (COP) change and average sway velocity were evaluated with the Zebris RehaWalk system. Total and subscale scores of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were significantly higher in the PD+FOG group (p0.05). The PD+FOG group performed worse on the computerized static balance tests, the COP analysis, and the dynamic balance total score than the other two groups (p