Analysis of balance function, falling risk and gait in the early and middle stages of patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Objective To analyze the balance function, falling risk and gait in the early and middle stages of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) for provide clinical basis for patients' rehabilitation treatment.  Methods There were 30 PD patients in the early and middle stages and 15 healthy subjects matched in gender, age and degree of education. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to evaluate balance function. Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Chair Rising Test (CRT) and Tandem Gait Test (TGT) were used to evaluate falling risk. The gait analysis system was used to evaluate gait.  Results Compared with healthy subjects, PD patients obtained lower scores on BBS (P = 0.001). In the falling risk, PD patients spent more seconds in performing TUGT (P = 0.003) and CRT (P = 0.002) and finished fewer numbers of steps on TGT (P = 0.041). In 10 - Meter Walk Test (10MWT), PD patients had shorter step length (P =0.020), decreased step speed (P = 0.038), increased ratio of toe touches (P = 0.000) and decreased left and right ankle dorsiflexion in swing phase (P = 0.005, 0.006).  Conclusions In the early and middle stages, PD patients have decreased balance function, increased falling risk and unusual gait. The rehabilitation treatment should be given as soon as possible.

DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2017.05.007