Effect of physical therapy on the isokinetic performance of knee flexors and extensors and functional balance in older adults with Parkinson's disease, according to severity

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies 2024-10, Vol.40, p.465-471
• Main Authors: Leandro, Luciano Alves, Zotz, Talita Gianello Gnoato, Camilotti, Bárbara Maria, Olandoski, Márcia, Moreira, Carolina Aguiar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aging; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Isokinetic dynamometer; Knee - physiology; Knee - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Older adults; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Parkinson's disease; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance - physiology; Quadriceps Muscle - physiology; Quadriceps Muscle - physiopathology; Rehabilitation; Severity of Illness Index; Torque
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.02.001

To analyze the effects of a physical therapy intervention on the muscle strength and power of the knee flexors and extensors and functional balance in older adults with Parkinson's disease (PD), according to its clinical severity. Forty older adults diagnosed with PD were evaluated before and after 48-week of a basic exercise program (two 20-min sessions a week) to improve functional balance and quadriceps strength. The variables analyzed were: motor aspects of PD, assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS); functional mobility; peak torque (PT) and mean power (MP) at the knee flexors and extensors, evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (CYBEX®) on both legs at 60°/s (PT) and 240°/s (P); Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; and Tinetti Index. The participants were divided into three groups (GI, GII, GIII) according to their stage (I–III) of PD on the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale. Muscle strength and power were greater in GI (PT: 131.14 N/kg ±61.73; P: 102.29 W/kg ±39.16) than in GII and GIII (PT: 82 N/kg ±38.27 and 89.29 N/kg ±68.78; p = 0.047; P: 56.17 W/kg ±31.99 and 68.14 W/kg ±58.18; p = 0.009). In addition, an improvement in functional balance was shown by higher indices after the intervention (p