Exercise for falls prevention in Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)-BIG to improve motor function in people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The technique called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)-LOUD has previously been used to improve voice quality in people with Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an alternate intervention, LSVT-BIG (signifying big movements), to improve functional mobility.

DESIGN

Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized trials.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to September 2017 using multiple search terms related to Parkinson's disease and LSVT-BIG.

REVIEW METHOD

Two researchers searched the literature for studies of the LSVT-BIG intervention of 16 sessions, delivered by a certified instructor over four weeks, to any other intervention. Outcomes related to functional ability were included. Study quality was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.

RESULTS

Four studies were included, reporting on three randomized trials of 84 participants with mild Parkinson's disease. Compared to physiotherapy exercises, or a shorter training protocol, there was a significant improvement in motor function assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (mean difference = -3.20, 95% confidence interval = -5.18 to -1.23) and a trend towards faster Timed Up and Go performance (mean difference = -0.47, 95% confidence interval = -0.99 to 0.06) and 10-metre walk test (mean difference = -0.53, 95% confidence interval = -1.07 to 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Compared to shorter format LSVT-BIG or general exercise, LSVT-BIG was more effective at improving motor function. This provides preliminary, moderate quality evidence that amplitude-oriented training is effective in reducing motor impairments for people with mild Parkinson's disease.

Falling upward with Parkinson's disease

Falls can injure, even kill. No one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) wants to fall by accident. However, the potential nastiness of falls does not preclude a more nuanced understanding of the personal meaning that falls can have. Rather than view falls as a problem to fear and manage solely by preventing and repairing harm, people with PD and those who care for them may recast falls as a mixed blessing. Falls may be a resource, skill, and catalyst for personal growth. We discuss how falls may give rise to opportunities in interrelated domains: capabilities, credo, character, creativity, chronemics, and connectedness. Clinicians could incorporate a positive focus across these domains to help people with PD to ‘fall upward’ in the sense of flourish.

Clinical balance scales indicate worse postural control in people with Parkinson's disease who exhibit freezing of gait compared to those who do not: A meta-analysis

Postural instability and freezing of gait (FOG) are key features of Parkinson's disease (PD) that are closely related to falls. Uncovering the postural control differences between individuals with and without FOG contributes to our understanding of the relationship between these phenomena. The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether postural control deficits, as detected by clinical balance scales, were more apparent in FOG+ compared to FOG-. Furthermore, we aimed to identify whether different scales were equally sensitive to detect postural control deficits and whether medication affected postural control differentially in each subgroup. Relevant articles were identified via five electronic databases. We performed a meta-analysis on nine studies which reported clinical balance scale scores in 249 freezers and 321 non-freezers. Methodological analysis showed that in 5/9 studies disease duration differed between subgroups. Despite this drawback, postural control was found to be significantly worse in FOG+ compared to FOG-. All included clinical balance scales were found to be sufficiently sensitive to detect the postural control differences. Levodopa did not differentially affect postural control (p=0.21), as in both medication states FOG+ had worse postural stability than FOG-. However, this finding warrants a cautious interpretation given the limitations of the studies included. From subscore analysis, we found that reactive and dynamic postural control were the most affected postural control systems in FOG+. We conclude that our findings provide important evidence for pronounced postural instability in individuals with FOG, which can be easily picked up with clinical evaluation tools. Posturographic measures in well-matched subgroups are needed to highlight the exact nature of these deficits.

Physiotherapy in Parkinson's Disease: Building ParkinsonNet in Czechia

Objective

We conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate the availability and quality of physiotherapy (PT) for Parkinson's disease (PD).

Background

Despite evidence about the benefits of PT, there is no data regarding its use in Czechia.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent to 368 PD patients seen in a single movement disorders centre within two years (inclusion criteria: idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stage <5, and residence in Prague) and to 211 physical therapists (PTs) registered in Prague. The patient questionnaire evaluated limitations in 6 core areas and in activities of daily living and inquired about experience with PT. The PTs questionnaire evaluated knowledge about PD, number of PD patients treated yearly, and details of therapy.

Results

Questionnaires were returned by 248 patients and 157 PTs. PT was prescribed to 70/248 patients. The effects were satisfactory in 79% and lasted >3 months in 60/64. About half of the PTs have no experience with PD patients, 26% reported <3, and 5% see >10 yearly. The most widely used techniques were neurodevelopmental treatments.

Conclusion

Present PD healthcare model in Czechia is suboptimal (low PT prescription, non-evidence-based PT). Implementation of European PT Guidelines for PD and the introduction of an efficient model of care are needed.

Parkinsonian signs are a risk factor for falls

BACKGROUND

Parkinsonian signs are common, non-specific findings in older adults and associated with increased rates of dementia and mortality. It is important to understand which motor outcomes are associated with parkinsonian signs.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of parkinsonian signs on fall rates among older adults.

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal study of primary care patients from the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Adults over 55 years were assessed at baseline through surveys and a neurological examination. We recorded falls over the following 2 years. Parkinsonian signs were defined as the presence of 2 of 4 cardinal signs. Incident falls were compared between subjects with and without parkinsonian signs, and modified Poisson regression used to adjust for potential confounders in the relationship between parkinsonian signs and falls.

RESULTS

982 subjects with a mean age of 68 (s.d. 8.8) years participated. 29% of participants fell and 12% exhibited parkinsonian signs at baseline. The unadjusted RR for falls among individuals with parkinsonian signs was 1.36 (95% CI 1.05-1.76, p=0.02). After adjusting for age, cognitive function, urinary incontinence, depression, diabetes, stroke and arthritis, individuals with parkinsonian signs were still 38% more likely to fall than those without parkinsonian signs (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04-1.82; p=0.03). Falls among those with parkinsonian signs were more likely to lead to injury (53% vs 37%; p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Parkinsonian signs are a significant, independent risk factor for falls. Early detection of this clinical state is important in order to implement fall prevention programs among primary care patients.

Home based training for dexterity in Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with Parkinson's disease exhibit disturbed manual dexterity. This impairment leads to difficulties in activities of daily living, such as buttoning a shirt or hand-writing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a home-based dexterity program on fine motor skills in a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, in patients with Parkinson's disease.

METHODS

One hundred and three patients with Parkinson's disease (aged between 48 and 80 years, Hoehn & Yahr stage I-IV) were randomized to either a home-based dexterity program (HOMEDEXT) or Thera-band program. All patients trained over a period of 4 weeks, 5 times/week, 30 min for each session. A baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up assessment (12 weeks later, time period without intervention) were done. The primary outcome measure was dexterity as measured with the Nine Hole peg test (9-HPT). Secondary outcome measures included strength, motor parkinsonian symptoms, dexterity-related activities of daily living (ADL) and Health-related Quality of Life (HrQoL).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in favor of the HOMEDEXT group as compared to the Thera-band group on the primary outcome 9-HPT (p = 0.006) and dexterity-related ADL (p = 0.02) at post intervention. No significant differences were found for the other outcomes, nor at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This is the first randomized controlled trial showing that an intensive, task specific home-based dexterity program significantly improved fine motor skills in Parkinson's disease. The effect generalized to dexterity-related ADL functions. As these improvements did not sustain, the finding suggest that continuous training is required to maintain the benefit.

An interactive videogame for arm and hand exercise in people with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) have difficulty performing upper extremity (UE) activities. The aim of this study was to investigate if exergames targeting the UE improve arm and hand activities and impairments and to establish the acceptability and feasibility of these games in people with PD.

METHODS

Two tablet-based exergames were developed which were controlled with finger movements or unimanual whole arm movements. Participants with PD were randomized to an exergame (n = 19) or control (n = 19) group. The exergame group performed UE exergames at home, 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the nine hole peg test. Secondary outcomes included measures of UE activities and impairments, including the tapping test [speed (taps/60s), and error (weighted error score/speed)].

RESULTS

There were no between group differences in the nine hole peg test, or in any secondary outcome measures except for the tapping test. Horizontal tapping test results showed that exergame participants improved their speed (mean difference = 10.9 taps/60s, p < 0.001) but increased error (mean difference = 0.03, p = 0.03) compared to the control group. Participants enjoyed the games and improved in their ability to play the games. There were no adverse events.

CONCLUSION

The UE exergames were acceptable and safe, but did not translate to improvement in functional activities. It is likely that the requirement of the games resulted in increased movement speed at the detriment of accuracy. The design of exergames should consider task specificity.

Dynamics of change in self-reported disability among persons with Parkinson's disease after 2 years of follow-up

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress over time causing significant disability. Yet, change in disability over shorter time periods has not been entirely understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the Self-Assessment Disability Scale (SADS) in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) after 2 years of follow-up and compare it with the score observed at baseline. Additionally, we aimed at evaluating association of motor and non-motor PD features at baseline with a higher disability after 2 years of follow-up. A total of 120 consecutive persons with PD, who denied falling in the past 6 months, were initially recruited. After 2 years of follow-up, 88 (73.3%) persons with PD were evaluated for SADS. The total disability (SADS) score did not change after follow-up (p = 0.529). We observed increase in difficulty at "Getting out of bed" (p = 0.006), "Getting up out of armchair" (p = 0.013), "Walking about house/flat" (p = 0.003), "Walking outside" (p = 0.010), and "Traveling by public transport" (p = 0.014). After adjusting for several potential confounding factors, falls in the past year (β = 8.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-15.59) and higher Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 3 at baseline (β = 0.26, 95%CI 0.01-0.51) remained associated with higher PD-related disability. This finding suggests that accumulation of overall PD-related disability tends to occur over a longer time span. Further studies are needed to gradually assess long-term evolution of disability in PD.

Effects of a simple home-based exercise program on fall prevention in older adults: A 12-month primary care setting, randomized controlled trial

AIM

To investigate the effects of a simple home-based exercise program on falls, physical functioning, fear of falling and quality of life in a primary care setting.

METHODS

Participants (n = 439), aged ≥65 years with mild-to-moderate balance dysfunction were randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 219) or control (n = 220) group. The program consisted of five combined exercises, which progressed in difficulty, and a walking plan. Controls received fall prevention education. Physical functioning and other outcomes were measured at 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. Falls were monitored with fall diaries and phone interviews at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months respectively.

RESULTS

The 12 months of the home-based exercise program showed the incidence of falls was 0.30 falls per person year in the exercise group, compared with 0.40 in the control group. The estimated incidence rate ratio was 0.75 (95% CI 0.55-1.04), which was not statistically significant. The fear of falling (measured by the Thai fall efficacy scale) was significantly lower in the exercise than control group (24.7 vs 27.0, P = 0.003). Also, the trend of program adherence increased in the exercise group. (29.6% to 56.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This simple home-based exercise program showed a reduction in fear of falling and a positive trend towards exercise adherence. Further studies should focus on factors associated with exercise adherence, the benefits of increased home visits and should follow participants longer in order to evaluate the effects of the program. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2157-2163.

A home program of strength training, movement strategy training and education did not prevent falls in people with Parkinson's disease: a randomised trial

QUESTIONS

For people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, does a 6-week, comprehensive, home exercise program reduce falls and disability and improve health-related quality of life? Is the program cost-effective?

DESIGN

Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation and assessor blinding.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and thirty-three community-dwelling adults with Parkinson's disease.

INTERVENTION

The experimental group completed a 6-week home program comprising progressive resistance strength training, movement strategy training and falls education. The control group completed 6 weeks of non-specific life skills training. Participants in both groups received weekly therapist-guided sessions for 6 consecutive weeks and a weekly self-directed home program.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the rate of falls, documented for the 12-month period immediately after therapy. Secondary outcomes were disability and health-related quality of life, assessed before and after intervention and at a 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 2255 falls were reported by the 12-month follow-up. The proportion of fallers in the experimental and control groups was 61 and 72%, respectively, which was not statistically significantly different (RR=0.85, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.09). There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of falls (incidence rate ratio=1.58, 95% CI 0.73 to 3.43). A survival analysis of participant time to first fall did not show a significant between-group difference (log-rank test χ²=0.79, p=0.37). No significant between-group differences occurred for mobility, disability or quality of life. The mean cost of delivering the experimental intervention was AUD1596.

CONCLUSION

A home program of strength and movement strategy training and falls education does not prevent falls when applied at the dose used in this study. Arguably, the dosage of therapy was insufficient. Future trials need to explore further therapy content, repetitions and duration, in order to optimise outcomes and cost-effectiveness. [Morris ME, Taylor NF, Watts JJ, Evans A, Horne M, Kempster P, Danoudis M, McGinley J, Martin C, Menz HB (2017) A home program of strength training, movement strategy training and education did not prevent falls in people with Parkinson's disease: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 63: 94-100].

Dancing for Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Trial of Irish Set Dancing Compared With Usual Care

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility of a randomized controlled study design and to explore the benefits of a set dancing intervention compared with usual care.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled design, with participants randomized to Irish set dance classes or a usual care group.

SETTING

Community based.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) (N=90).

INTERVENTIONS

The dance group attended a 1.5-hour dancing class each week for 10 weeks and undertook a home dance program for 20 minutes, 3 times per week. The usual care group continued with their usual care and daily activities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was feasibility, determined by recruitment rates, success of randomization and allocation procedures, attrition, adherence, safety, willingness of participants to be randomized, resource availability, and cost. Secondary outcomes were motor function (motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale), quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39), functional endurance (6-min walk test), and balance (mini-BESTest).

RESULTS

Ninety participants were randomized (45 per group). There were no adverse effects or resource constraints. Although adherence to the dancing program was 93.5%, there was >40% attrition in each group. Postintervention, the dance group had greater nonsignificant gains in quality of life than the usual care group. There was a meaningful deterioration in endurance in the usual care group. There were no meaningful changes in other outcomes. The exit questionnaire showed participants enjoyed the classes and would like to continue participation.

CONCLUSIONS

For people with mild to moderately severe PD, set dancing is feasible and enjoyable and may improve quality of life.

A pilot study of a minimally supervised home exercise and walking program for people with Parkinson's disease in Jordan

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cultural considerations of a minimally supervised, home-based exercise program in Jordan. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Thirty participants were randomly allocated to either an 8-week intervention group (n = 16), or a standard care group (n = 14). The intervention incorporated the home use of an exercise DVD, walking program and initial instructional sessions and weekly phone calls provided by a physiotherapist. Interviews were used to explore feasibility. Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS-III); balance and walking speed were assessed. Results: The retention rate was 86.7% and mean adherence rate was 77%. Personal and sociocultural barriers of adherence to the exercise program were identified. UPDRS-III at follow-up was lower in the intervention group. Conclusion: A home exercise program was feasible. Sociocultural barriers specific to Arabic culture may affect the uptake of such an intervention in Parkinson's disease in these countries.

Fall-related hospitalization in people with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Falls are common in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) but few data exist on fall-related hospitalizations in this group. This population-based study compared fall-related hospital admissions, injury rates and consequences in people with and without PD, and determined whether PD was an independent predictor of fall-related hospital length of stay.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study using probabilistic linkage of hospital data in people aged ≥65 years hospitalized for a fall between 1 July 2005 and 31 December 2013 in New South Wales, Australia. Rates of hospital admissions and injuries per person admitted over the study period were compared between people with and without PD using Poisson or negative binomial regression. Multilevel linear modelling was used to analyse length of stay by clustering individuals and adjusting for possible confounders.

RESULTS

There were 342 265 fall-related hospital admissions in people aged ≥65 years during the study period, of which 8487 (2.5%) were for people with PD. Sixty-seven per cent of fall-related PD admissions were associated with injury and 35% were associated with fracture. People with PD had higher rate ratios for fall admissions (1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.59-1.67) and injury (1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.43-1.51) and longer median length of stay [9 (interquartile range 1-27) vs. 6 (interquartile range 1-20) days in people without PD; P < 0.001]. PD remained associated with increased length of stay after controlling for comorbidity, age, sex and injury (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important benchmark data for hospitalizations for falls and fall injuries for older people with PD, which may be used to monitor the effect of fall prevention programmes.

Current Pharmaceutical Treatments and Alternative Therapies of Parkinson's Disease

Over the decades, pharmaceutical treatments, particularly dopaminergic (DAergic) drugs have been considered as the main therapy against motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is proposed that DAergic drugs in combination with other medications, such as monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors, catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors, anticholinergics and other newly developed non-DAergic drugs can make a better control of motor symptoms or alleviate levodopa-induced motor complications. Moreover, non-motor symptoms of PD, such as cognitive, neuropsychiatric, sleep, autonomic and sensory disturbances caused by intrinsic PD pathology or drug-induced side effects, are gaining increasing attention and urgently need to be taken care of due to their impact on quality of life. Currently, neuroprotective therapies have been investigated extensively in pre-clinical studies, and some of them have been subjected to clinical trials. Furthermore, non-pharmaceutical treatments, including deep brain stimulation (DBS), gene therapy, cell replacement therapy and some complementary managements, such as Tai chi, Yoga, traditional herbs and molecular targeted therapies have also been considered as effective alternative therapies to classical pharmaceutics. This review will provide us updated information regarding the current drugs and non-drugs therapies for PD.

Objective Gait and Balance Impairments Relate to Balance Confidence and Perceived Mobility in People With Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND

Body-worn, inertial sensors can provide many objective measures of balance and gait. However, the objective measures that best reflect patient perception of mobility disability and clinician assessment of Parkinson disease (PD) are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine which objective measures of balance and gait are most related to patient perception of mobility disability and disease severity in people with PD and (2) to examine the effect of levodopa therapy on these correlates.

DESIGN

This was an experimental correlation study.

METHODS

One hundred four people with idiopathic PD performed 3 trials of the Instrumented Stand and Walk Test (ISAW) in the "on" and "off" medication states. The ISAW consists of quiet standing (30 seconds), gait initiation, straight walking (7 m), and turning (180°), yielding 34 objective measures of mobility from body-worn inertial sensors. Patient perception of mobility disability was assessed with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and the mobility subscale of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Disease severity was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, part III (motor UPDRS). Spearman correlations were used to relate objective measures of mobility to patient perception and disease severity.

RESULTS

Turning speed, gait speed, and stride length were most highly correlated to severity of disease and patient perception of mobility disability. The objective measures of mobility in the off-medication state were more indicative of patient perception of mobility disability and balance confidence compared with on-medication state measures.

LIMITATIONS

Causation is an inherent problem of correlation studies.

CONCLUSION

Physical therapists should evaluate mobility in people with PD in the off-medication state because the off-medication state is more related to disease severity and patient perception of mobility disability than the on-medication state mobility. Assessment and treatment of mobility in people with PD should target specific measures (ie, turning, gait speed, and stride length) because these measures best reflect patients' quality of life and balance confidence.

Association of Parkinson's disease with hospitalization for traumatic brain injury

PURPOSE

The goal of our study was to determine if patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are more susceptible to hospitalization for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

The US Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried (2004-2011) to identify cohorts of patients with PD (N = 1 047 656) and without PD (N = 115 95 173). The age range of the study population was 60-89 years. The incidence of TBI among patients with PD was compared to the incidence of TBI in patients without PD. A multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted for all covariates that significantly differed in the bivariate analyses, was used to determine if PD was an independent predictor of TBI hospitalization.

RESULTS

The incidence of TBI hospitalization was significantly higher (relative risk: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.73-1.80) in the PD cohort. The PD cohort with TBI had fewer comorbidities and risk factors for falls/TBI compared to the non-PD cohort with TBI. The multivariable analysis, adjusting for other TBI risk factors, revealed that PD status increased the likelihood of TBI hospitalization (odds ratio: 2.99, 95% CI: 2.93-3.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that patients with PD are more susceptible to hospitalization for TBI. A greater proportion of fall-related TBI occurs in patients with PD compared to patients without PD. Further research is needed to prevent falls in PD patients to avoid TBI.

Disability is an Independent Predictor of Falls and Recurrent Falls in People with Parkinson's Disease Without a History of Falls: A One-Year Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Predictors of falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have not previously fallen are yet to be identified.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify predictors of all falls and recurrent falls in people with PD who had not fallen in the previous year and to explore the timing of falls in a 12-month follow-up period.

METHODS

Participants with PD (n = 130) were assessed by disease-specific, self-report and balance measures. Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to investigate time to falling.

RESULTS

Forty participants (31%) had ≥1 fall during follow-up and 21 (16%) had ≥2 falls. Disability, reduced balance confidence and greater concern about falling were associated with ≥1 fall in univariate analyses. Additionally, PD duration and severity, freezing of gait and impaired balance were associated with ≥2 falls (p <  0.05). Disability (Schwab and England scale, Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.56 per 10 points increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.80; p = 0.002) was associated with ≥1 fall in the final multivariate model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.65; 95% CI 0.55-0.76; p = 0.005). Disability (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale activities of daily living, OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.07-1.34; p = 0.001) and levodopa equivalent dose (OR = 1.11 per 100 mg increase; 95% CI 0.95-1.30; p = 0.19) were associated with ≥2 falls in the final multivariate model (AUC = 0.72; 95% CI 0.60-0.84; p = 0.001). Recurrent fallers experienced their first fall earlier than single fallers (p <  0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported disability was the strongest single predictor of all falls and recurrent falls.

Addition of a non-immersive virtual reality component to treadmill training to reduce fall risk in older adults (V-TIME): a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Age-associated motor and cognitive deficits increase the risk of falls, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Because of the significant ramifications of falls, many interventions have been proposed, but few have aimed to prevent falls via an integrated approach targeting both motor and cognitive function. We aimed to test the hypothesis that an intervention combining treadmill training with non-immersive virtual reality (VR) to target both cognitive aspects of safe ambulation and mobility would lead to fewer falls than would treadmill training alone.

METHODS

We carried out this randomised controlled trial at five clinical centres across five countries (Belgium, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK). Adults aged 60-90 years with a high risk of falls based on a history of two or more falls in the 6 months before the study and with varied motor and cognitive deficits were randomly assigned by use of computer-based allocation to receive 6 weeks of either treadmill training plus VR or treadmill training alone. Randomisation was stratified by subgroups of patients (those with a history of idiopathic falls, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with Parkinson's disease) and sex, with stratification per clinical site. Group allocation was done by a third party not involved in onsite study procedures. Both groups aimed to train three times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting about 45 min and structured training progression individualised to the participant's level of performance. The VR system consisted of a motion-capture camera and a computer-generated simulation projected on to a large screen, which was specifically designed to reduce fall risk in older adults by including real-life challenges such as obstacles, multiple pathways, and distracters that required continual adjustment of steps. The primary outcome was the incident rate of falls during the 6 months after the end of training, which was assessed in a modified intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who were assigned a treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01732653.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 6, 2013, and April 3, 2015, 302 adults were randomly assigned to either the treadmill training plus VR group (n=154) or treadmill training alone group (n=148). Data from 282 (93%) participants were included in the prespecified, modified intention-to-treat analysis. Before training, the incident rate of falls was similar in both groups (10·7 [SD 35·6] falls per 6 months for treadmill training alone vs 11·9 [39·5] falls per 6 months for treadmill training plus VR). In the 6 months after training, the incident rate was significantly lower in the treadmill training plus VR group than it had been before training (6·00 [95% CI 4·36-8·25] falls per 6 months; p<0·0001 vs before training), whereas the incident rate did not decrease significantly in the treadmill training alone group (8·27 [5·55-12·31] falls per 6 months; p=0·49). 6 months after the end of training, the incident rate of falls was also significantly lower in the treadmill training plus VR group than in the treadmill training group (incident rate ratio 0·58, 95% CI 0·36-0·96; p=0·033). No serious training-related adverse events occurred.

INTERPRETATION

In a diverse group of older adults at high risk for falls, treadmill training plus VR led to reduced fall rates compared with treadmill training alone.

FUNDING

European Commission.

Highly Challenging Balance Program Reduces Fall Rate in Parkinson Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is a paucity of effective treatment options to reduce falls in Parkinson disease (PD). Although a variety of rehabilitative approaches have been shown to improve balance, evidence of a reduction in falls has been mixed. Prior balance trials suggest that programs with highly challenging exercises had superior outcomes. We investigated the effects of a theory-driven, progressive, highly challenging group exercise program on fall rate, balance, and fear of falling.

METHODS

Twenty-three subjects with PD participated in this randomized cross-over trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to 3 months of active balance exercises or usual care followed by the reverse. During the active condition, subjects participated in a progressive, highly challenging group exercise program twice weekly for 90 minutes. Outcomes included a change in fall rate over the 3-month active period and differences in balance (Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test [Mini-BESTest]), and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I]) between active and usual care conditions.

RESULTS

The effect of time on falls was significant (regression coefficient = -0.015 per day, P < 0.001). The estimated rate ratio comparing incidence rates at time points 1 month apart was 0.632 (95% confidence interval, 0.524-0.763). Thus, there was an estimated 37% decline in fall rate per month (95% confidence interval, 24%-48%). Improvements were also observed on the Mini-BESTest (P = 0.037) and FES-I (P = 0.059).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that a theory-based, highly challenging, and progressive exercise program was effective in reducing falls, improving balance, and reducing fear of falling in PD.Video abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A120).

Predicting first fall in newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease: Insights from a fall-naïve cohort

BACKGROUND

Falls are common and associated with reduced independence and mortality in Parkinson's disease. Previous research has been conducted on falls-prevalent or advanced disease cohorts.

OBJECTIVE

This study identifies risk factors for first fall for 36 months in a newly diagnosed, falls-naïve cohort.

METHODS

A total of 121 consecutive Parkinson's disease patients were recruited. Falls data were collected prospectively during 36 months from diagnosis via monthly falls diaries and telephone follow-up for 117 participants. Assessment comprised a comprehensive battery of clinical, gait, and cognitive measures. Significant predictors were identified from decision-tree analysis and survival analysis with time to first fall during 36 months as the dependent variable.

FINDINGS

At baseline, 26 (22%) participants reported retrospective falls. At 36 months, the remaining cohort (n = 91) comprised 47 fallers (52%) and 30 (33%) nonfallers and 14 (15%) participants with incomplete diaries. Fallers presented with a significantly higher disease severity, poorer ability to stand on one leg, slower gait speed, increased stance time variability, and higher swing time asymmetry. Median time to first fall was 847 days. Gait speed, stance time, and Hoehn & Yahr III stage emerged as significant predictors of first fall, hazard ratio 3.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.58 to 7.48), 3.31(95% CI 1.40 to 7.80), and 2.80 (95% CI 1.38 to 5.65), respectively. The hazard ratio for risk factors combined was 7.82 (CI 2.80 to 21.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that target gait deficit and postural control in early Parkinson's disease may limit the potential for first fall. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

A novel approach to falls classification in Parkinson's disease: development of the Fall-Related Activity Classification (FRAC)

BACKGROUND

Falls are a major problem for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite years of focused research knowledge of falls aetiology is poor. This may be partly due to classification approaches which conventionally report fall frequency. This nosology is blunt, and does not take into account causality or the circumstances in which the fall occurred. For example, it is likely that people who fall from a postural transition are phenotypically different to those who fall during high level activities. Recent evidence supports the use of a novel falls classification based on fall related activity, however its clinimetric properties have not yet been tested.

OBJECTIVE

This study describes further development of the Fall-Related Activity Classification (FRAC) and reports on its inter-rater reliability (IRR).

METHOD

Descriptors of the FRAC were refined through an iterative process with a multidisciplinary team. Three categories based on the activity preceding the fall were identified. PD fallers were categorised as: (1) advanced (2) combined or (3) transitional. Fifty-five fall scenarios were rated by 23 raters using a standardised process. Raters comprised 3 clinical subgroups: (1) physiotherapists, (2) physicians, (3) non-medical researchers. IRR analysis was performed using weighted kappa coefficients and included sub group analysis based on clinical speciality.

RESULTS

Excellent agreement was reached for all clinicians, κ=0.807 (95% CI 0.732 to 0.870). Clinical subgroups performed similarly well (range of κ=0.780 to 0.822).

CONCLUSION

The FRAC can be reliably used to classify falls. This may discriminate between phenotypically different fallers and subsequently strengthen falls predictors in future studies.

Cognitive Impairment in Fall-Related Studies in Parkinson's Disease

Background: There is increasing evidence to suggest a tight relationship between cognitive impairment and falls in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we draw attention to a potentially significant flaw in the existent falls-related research, namely the apparent exclusion of patients with cognitive impairment or dementia.

Objective: Our objective was to review all published, on-going or scheduled fall-related intervention studies, in order to investigate the extent to which cognitively impaired individuals with PD were included in these studies.

Methods: We analyzed published controlled trials regarding falls and PD in commonly used databases, as well as relevant ongoing clinical trials registered within the World Health Organization database, clinicaltrials.gov and the European Clinical Trials Database.

Results: Fourteen of the fifteen published studies included had explicit cognitive exclusion criteria as part of their study protocol. Most of the 54 on-going PD fall-related studies excluded patients with cognitive impairment.

Conclusions: This suggests that individuals with cognitive impairment or dementia are excluded from fall-related research studies. We strongly recommend that future work in this area should include a representative sample of patients with PD, including subjects with cognitive decline.

Measures used for the evaluation of balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review

[Purpose] The present literature review was conducted on the use of different measures for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson's disease. [Materials and Methods] The PubMed, Bireme, SciELO, Lilacs, and PEDro electronic databases were searched for relevant studies. [Results] The searches initially led to the retrieval of 3,623 articles, 540 of which were potentially eligible after limiting the search to clinical trials published in the last five years. A total of 264 duplicates were removed, and 276 articles were excluded based on their titles and abstracts. The full texts of 84 articles were analyzed, and only those with a PEDro score higher than four points (n=25) were included in the review. [Conclusion] Different methods, such as scales, tests, and equipment, are used for the evaluation of balance in patients with Parkinson's disease. More than one measure has been employed in most studies, and there is no consensus on a single precise measure for the evaluation of balance in this population.

Physical activity and exercise attenuate neuroinflammation in neurological diseases

Major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCH), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are devastating neurological disorders, which increasingly contribute to global morbidity and mortality. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of these conditions are quite diverse, chronic neuroinflammation is one underlying feature shared by all these diseases. Even though the specific root causes of these diseases remain to be identified, evidence indicates that the observed neuroinflammation is initiated by unique pathological features associated with each specific disease. If the initial acute inflammation is not resolved, a chronic neuroinflammatory state develops and ultimately contributes to disease progression. Chronic neuroinflammation is characterized by adverse and non-specific activation of glial cells, which can lead to collateral damage of nearby neurons and other glia. This misdirected neuroinflammatory response is hypothesized to contribute to neuropathology in MDD, SCH, AD, and PD. Physical activity (PA), which is critical for maintenance of whole body and brain health, may also beneficially modify neuroimmune responses. Since PA has neuroimmune-modifying properties, and the common underlying feature of MDD, SCH, AD, and PD is chronic neuroinflammation, we hypothesize that PA could minimize brain diseases by modifying glia-mediated neuroinflammation. This review highlights current evidence supporting the disease-altering potential of PA and exercise through modifications of neuroimmune responses, specifically in MDD, SCH, AD and PD.

Two-Year Trajectory of Fall Risk in People With Parkinson Disease: A Latent Class Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine fall risk trajectories occurring naturally in a sample of individuals with early to middle stage Parkinson disease (PD).

DESIGN

Latent class analysis, specifically growth mixture modeling (GMM), of longitudinal fall risk trajectories.

SETTING

Assessments were conducted at 1 of 4 universities.

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling participants with PD of a longitudinal cohort study who attended at least 2 of 5 assessments over a 2-year follow-up period (N=230).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fall risk trajectory (low, medium, or high risk) and stability of fall risk trajectory (stable or fluctuating). Fall risk was determined at 6 monthly intervals using a simple clinical tool based on fall history, freezing of gait, and gait speed.

RESULTS

The GMM optimally grouped participants into 3 fall risk trajectories that closely mirrored baseline fall risk status (P=.001). The high fall risk trajectory was most common (42.6%) and included participants with longer and more severe disease and with higher postural instability and gait disability (PIGD) scores than the low and medium fall risk trajectories (P<.001). Fluctuating fall risk (posterior probability <0.8 of belonging to any trajectory) was found in only 22.6% of the sample, most commonly among individuals who were transitioning to PIGD predominance.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of their baseline characteristics, most participants had clear and stable fall risk trajectories over 2 years. Further investigation is required to determine whether interventions to improve gait and balance may improve fall risk trajectories in people with PD.

Rivastigmine for gait stability in patients with Parkinson's disease (ReSPonD): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Falls are a frequent and serious complication of Parkinson's disease and are related partly to an underlying cholinergic deficit that contributes to gait and cognitive dysfunction in these patients. Gait dysfunction can lead to an increased variability of gait from one step to another, raising the likelihood of falls. In the ReSPonD trial we aimed to assess whether ameliorating this cholinergic deficit with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine would reduce gait variability.

METHODS

We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial at the North Bristol NHS Trust Hospital, Bristol, UK, in patients with Parkinson's disease recruited from community and hospital settings in the UK. We included patients who had fallen at least once in the year before enrolment, were able to walk 18 m without an aid, had no previous exposure to an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and did not have dementia. Our clinical trials unit randomly assigned (1:1) patients to oral rivastigmine or placebo capsules (both taken twice a day) using a computer-generated randomisation sequence and web-based allocation. Rivastigmine was uptitrated from 3 mg per day to the target dose of 12 mg per day over 12 weeks. Both the trial team and patients were masked to treatment allocation. Masking was achieved with matched placebo capsules and a dummy uptitration schedule. The primary endpoint was difference in step time variability between the two groups at 32 weeks, adjusted for baseline age, cognition, step time variability, and number of falls in the previous year. We measured step time variability with a triaxial accelerometer during an 18 m walking task in three conditions: normal walking, simple dual task with phonemic verbal fluency (walking while naming words beginning with a single letter), and complex dual task switching with phonemic verbal fluency (walking while naming words, alternating between two letters of the alphabet). Analysis was by modified intention to treat; we excluded from the primary analysis patients who withdrew, died, or did not attend the 32 week assessment. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, number 19880883.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 4, 2012 and March 28, 2013, we enrolled 130 patients and randomly assigned 65 to the rivastigmine group and 65 to the placebo group. At week 32, compared with patients assigned to placebo (59 assessed), those assigned to rivastigmine (55 assessed) had improved step time variability for normal walking (ratio of geometric means 0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.88; p=0.002) and the simple dual task (0.79; 0.62-0.99; p=0.045). Improvements in step time variability for the complex dual task did not differ between groups (0.81, 0.60-1.09; p=0.17). Gastrointestinal side-effects were more common in the rivastigmine group than in the placebo group (p<0.0001); 20 (31%) patients in the rivastigmine group versus three (5%) in the placebo group had nausea and 15 (17%) versus three (5%) had vomiting.

INTERPRETATION

Rivastigmine can improve gait stability and might reduce the frequency of falls. A phase 3 study is needed to confirm these findings and show cost-effectiveness of rivastigmine treatment.

FUNDING

Parkinson's UK.

The Association Between Parkinson's Disease Motor Impairments and Pain

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to: 1) examine the severity and frequency of pain and the extent to which pain interferes with work and 2) explore the contributions of motor impairments to pain in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHOD

Pain severity, frequency and the impact of pain on work were determined using subscores from the SF-36^TM, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire and SF-12v2^TM, respectively, in 231 people with Parkinson's disease. Motor impairments were measured using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Freezing of gait was determined as its presence or absence in the last month. Associations between impairments and pain were examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Pain was reported by 187 (81%) participants, with 91 (39%) reporting pain of moderate severity or worse. Pain interfered with work to some extent in 158 (68%) participants. After adjusting for age and gender, increased rigidity was associated with higher pain frequency and more pain that interfered with work (for both models, Odds Ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.3). Tremor was not associated with any measures of pain and motor impairments were not associated with pain severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Most people with PD experience pain at least monthly and pain interferes with daily activities. PD impairments are associated with more frequent pain and pain that interferes with work, with rigidity having the strongest association. Development of Parkinson's disease-specific pain assessments and further investigation into the association between PD impairments and pain is warranted.

Exercise and fall prevention self-management to reduce mobility-related disability and falls after fall-related lower limb fracture in older people: protocol for the RESTORE (Recovery Exercises and STepping On afteR fracturE) randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lasting disability and further falls are common and costly problems in older people following fall-related lower limb and pelvic fractures. Exercise interventions can improve mobility after fracture and reduce falls in older people, however the optimal approach to rehabilitation after fall-related lower limb and pelvic fracture is unclear. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an exercise and fall prevention self-management intervention on mobility-related disability and falls in older people following fall-related lower limb or pelvic fracture. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention will also be investigated.

METHODS/DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding for physical performance tests and intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted. Three hundred and fifty people aged 60 years and over with a fall-related lower limb or pelvic fracture, who are living at home or in a low care residential aged care facility and have completed active rehabilitation, will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to receive a 12-month intervention or usual care. The intervention group will receive ten home visits from a physiotherapist to prescribe an individualised exercise program with motivational interviewing, plus fall prevention education through individualised advice from the physiotherapist or attendance at the group based "Stepping On" program (seven two-hour group sessions). Participants will be followed for a 12-month period. Primary outcome measures will be mobility-related disability and falls. Secondary outcomes will include measures of balance and mobility, falls risk, physical activity, walking aid use, frailty, pain, nutrition, falls efficacy, mood, positive and negative affect, quality of life, assistance required, hospital readmission, and health-system and community-service contact.

DISCUSSION

This study will determine the effect and cost-effectiveness of this exercise self management intervention on mobility-related disability and falls in older people who have recently sustained a fall-related lower limb or pelvic fracture. The results will have implications for the design and implementation of interventions for older people with fall related lower limb fractures. The findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and through professional and scientific conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000805077.

Exercise and Nutritional Benefits in PD: Rodent Models and Clinical Settings

Physical exercise offers a highly effective health-endowering activity as has been evidence using rodent models of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a particularly useful intervention in individuals employed in sedentary occupations or afflicted by a neurodegenerative disorder, such as PD. The several links between exercise and quality-of-life, disorder progression and staging, risk factors and symptoms-biomarkers in PD all endower a promise for improved prognosis. Nutrition provides a strong determinant for disorder vulnerability and prognosis with fish oils and vegetables with a mediterranean diet offering both protection and resistance. Three factors determining the effects of exercise on disorder severity of patients may be presented: (i) Exercise effects upon motor impairment, gait, posture and balance, (ii) Exercise reduction of oxidative stress, stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulation of autophagy, and (iii) Exercise stimulation of dopamine (DA) neurochemistry and trophic factors. Running-wheel performance, as measured by distance run by individual mice from different treatment groups, was related to DA-integrity, indexed by striatal DA levels. Finally, both nutrition and exercise may facilitate positive epigenetic outcomes, such as lowering the dosage of L-Dopa required for a therapeutic effect.

The Therapeutic Potential of Exercise to Improve Mood, Cognition, and Sleep in Parkinson's Disease

In addition to the classic motor symptoms, Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a variety of nonmotor symptoms that significantly reduce quality of life, even in the early stages of the disease. There is an urgent need to develop evidence-based treatments for these symptoms, which include mood disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disruption. We focus here on exercise interventions, which have been used to improve mood, cognition, and sleep in healthy older adults and clinical populations, but to date have primarily targeted motor symptoms in PD. We synthesize the existing literature on the benefits of aerobic exercise and strength training on mood, sleep, and cognition as demonstrated in healthy older adults and adults with PD, and suggest that these types of exercise offer a feasible and promising adjunct treatment for mood, cognition, and sleep difficulties in PD. Across stages of the disease, exercise interventions represent a treatment strategy with the unique ability to improve a range of nonmotor symptoms while also alleviating the classic motor symptoms of the disease. Future research in PD should include nonmotor outcomes in exercise trials with the goal of developing evidence-based exercise interventions as a safe, broad-spectrum treatment approach to improve mood, cognition, and sleep for individuals with PD.

Predictors of Adherence to a Falls Prevention Exercise Program for People with Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Long-term benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) require regular and sustained participation. This study aimed to investigate predictors of adherence to a minimally supervised exercise program designed to reduce falls in people with PD.

METHOD

People with idiopathic PD who participated in the exercise arm of a randomized, controlled trial were included. Exercises were prescribed three times per week for 6 months. Adherence was defined as the percentage of prescribed sessions participants reported as having undertaken. Potential predictors of adherence included baseline measures of demographic variables, disease severity and duration, falls and fear of falling, pain, self-reported health and quality of life, cognition, physical activity levels, freezing of gait, functional mobility and balance, and knee extensor strength.

RESULTS

The 108 participants included undertook a mean of 72% (standard deviation: 38%) of prescribed sessions. Participants had higher levels of adherence if they had shorter disease duration, less bodily pain, and better self-reported health and quality of life. A multivariate model (including disease duration, severity of bodily pain, self-reported physical well-being, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Short Physical Performance Battery, and maximum walking time) explained 9% of the variance in exercise adherence, with shorter disease duration and less pain the strongest predictors (both predictors standardized β = -0.2; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Disease duration and pain are likely to negatively influence exercise participation in people with PD. Given that most of the variance in adherence is unexplained, further work is required to determine other predictors of adherence to long-term exercise programs.

Resistance versus Balance Training to Improve Postural Control in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Rater Blinded Controlled Study

Background

Reduced muscle strength is an independent risk factor for falls and related to postural instability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The ability of resistance training to improve postural control still remains unclear.

Objective

To compare resistance training with balance training to improve postural control in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

40 patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn&Yahr: 2.5–3.0) were randomly assigned into resistance or balance training (2x/week for 7 weeks). Assessments were performed at baseline, 8- and 12-weeks follow-up: primary outcome: Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale; secondary outcomes: center of mass analysis during surface perturbations, Timed-up-and-go-test, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, gait analysis, maximal isometric leg strength, PDQ-39, Beck Depression Inventory. Clinical tests were videotaped and analysed by a second rater, blind to group allocation and assessment time.

Results

32 participants (resistance training: n = 17, balance training: n = 15; 8 drop-outs) were analyzed at 8-weeks follow-up. No significant difference was found in the FAB scale when comparing the effects of the two training types (p = 0.14; effect size (Cohen’s d) = -0.59). Participants from the resistance training group, but not from the balance training group significantly improved on the FAB scale (resistance training: +2.4 points, Cohen’s d = -0.46; balance training: +0.3 points, Cohen’s d = -0.08). Within the resistance training group, improvements of the FAB scale were significantly correlated with improvements of rate of force development and stride time variability. No significant differences were found in the secondary outcome measures when comparing the training effects of both training types.

Conclusions

The difference between resistance and balance training to improve postural control in people with Parkinson’s disease was small and not significant with this sample size. There was weak evidence that freely coordinated resistance training might be more effective than balance training. Our results indicate a relationship between the enhancement of rate of force development and the improvement of postural control.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02253563

Effects of Exercise on Falls, Balance, and Gait Ability in Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-analysis

Postural instability and falls are complex and disabling features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and respond poorly to anti-Parkinsonian medication. There is an imperative need to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in enhancing postural stability and decreasing falls in the PD population. The objectives of our study were to determine the effects of exercise training on the enhancement of balance and gait ability and reduction in falls for people with PD and to investigate potential factors contributing to the training effects on balance and gait ability of people with PD. We included 25 randomized control trials of a moderate methodological quality in our meta-analysis. The trials examined the effects of exercise training on balance and gait ability and falls against no intervention and placebo intervention. The results showed positive effects of exercise intervention on enhancing balance and gait performance (Hedges' g = 0.303 over the short-term in 24 studies and 0.419 over the long-term in 12 studies; P < .05) and reducing the fall rate (rate ratio = 0.485 over the short-term in 4 studies and 0.413 over the long-term in 5 studies; P < .05). The longest follow-up duration was 12 months. There was no evidence that training decreased the number of fallers over the short- or long-term (P > .05). The results of our metaregression and subgroup analysis showed that facility-based training produced greater training effects on improving PD participants' balance and gait ability (P < .05). The findings support the application of exercise training to improve balance and gait ability and prevent falls in people with PD.

Parkinson's Disease and Its Management: Part 3: Nondopaminergic and Nonpharmacological Treatment Options

This installment of a five-part series reviews the role of nondopaminergic pharmacotherapies and adjunctive options-such as monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, and anticholinergic agents-in managing Parkinson's disease. Nonpharmacological treatments are also explored.

Nonpharmacological treatments for patients with Parkinson's disease

Since 2013, a number of studies have enhanced the literature and have guided clinicians on viable treatment interventions outside of pharmacotherapy and surgery. Thirty-three randomized controlled trials and one large observational study on exercise and physiotherapy were published in this period. Four randomized controlled trials focused on dance interventions, eight on treatment of cognition and behavior, two on occupational therapy, and two on speech and language therapy (the latter two specifically addressed dysphagia). Three randomized controlled trials focused on multidisciplinary care models, one study on telemedicine, and four studies on alternative interventions, including music therapy and mindfulness. These studies attest to the marked interest in these therapeutic approaches and the increasing evidence base that places nonpharmacological treatments firmly within the integrated repertoire of treatment options in Parkinson's disease.

A multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of PDSAFE to prevent falls among people with Parkinson's: study protocol

Background

Falls amongst people with Parkinson’s (PwP) result in significant disability and reduced quality of life. There is emerging evidence that exercise-based and physiotherapeutic interventions are of benefit for improving fall risk factors, such as balance. However, the benefit, in terms of preventing falls, is mixed. The development of effective interventions has been identified as the highest research priority for this population.

The aim of this trial is to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel, home-based physiotherapy programme, compared with usual care, on falls amongst PwP.

Methods/Design

A UK multi-centre, community-based, single blind, randomised controlled trial with twelve month follow-up, and nested economic evaluation and qualitative studies will be undertaken. Six hundred PwP who live in their own home, have had one or more falls in the previous year and an MMSE score of ≥24 will be recruited. Those living in care homes and those needing assistance from another person to walk indoors will not be eligible.

The intervention is a physiotherapist delivered, individually tailored and progressive, home-based programme (PDSAFE) comprising task orientated movement strategy training, functional lower limb strengthening and balance training, of six months duration. Unsupervised daily home exercises and strategies will be practised and supported using technology. Control participants will receive usual care.

Data collection will include falls, cognitive state, balance and mobility, fear of falling, freezing of gait, mood, quality of life, carer quality of life and resource use. Data will be collected at baseline, three, six and twelve months. Longitudinal semi-structured interviews will be undertaken with forty participants to explore the expectations and experiences of participants.

The primary outcome is risk of repeat falling at six months post-randomisation.

Discussion

The aims of this trial are to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel, home-delivered physiotherapy intervention (PDSAFE) compared with usual care on risk of falling for PwP who have a history of falling. PDSAFE is a novel intervention that builds upon the existing literature and targeting known risk factors, being the first study that uses a novel delivery modus (technology) in conjunction with traditional physiotherapeutic approaches.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48152791

Fall risk factors in community-dwelling elderly depending on their physical function, cognitive status and symptoms of depression

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries and injury-related disability, morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Therefore, they may also lower quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the fall risk factors in the community-dwelling elderly depending on their physical function, cognitive status and symptoms of depression. The study involved 304 individuals aged 65–100 years with a mean age of 78.6 ± 7.4. This survey-based study was conducted using the Geriatric Environmental Inquiry, the Barthel Scale (BS), the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Tinetti Test (TT). There was a statistically significant correlation between the BS, the TT and the incidence of falls (p < 0.05). The number of falls correlated significantly with the results of the BS (R = −0.39), the GDS (R = 0.18), and the TT (R = −0.40). A statistically significant correlation was also noted between the TT results and the results of the BS (R = 0.77), the AMTS (R = 0.40) and the GDS (R = −0.37). The incidence of falls may significantly increase in people with a lower functional status, which may be related to cognitive process disturbances and lower affective functioning. A comprehensive geriatric assessment, related to all aspects of advanced-age patients’ efficiency, is recommended. Fall prevention strategies should include actions undertaken to evaluate and treat depression and cognitive disturbances.