Falls are frequently observed among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. In order to develop interventions to reduce falls, we investigated the cardinal factors required to maintain balance, especially while turning. We recruited 16 PD patients (63.5 ± 10.0 years old) and 11 ataxia patients (59.6±10.6 years old) as disease controls. We used the modified Hoehn-Yahr classification (MHY) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part Ⅲ (UPDRS Ⅲ) to evaluate the severity of PD. We used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to evaluate balancing capacities of patients with PD and ataxia. PD patients scored 2 or 3 on MHY and 19.3 ± 9.8 on UPDRS Ⅲ. On the BBS, the PD patients scored 51.9 ± 4.5, and the ataxia patients scored 51.5 ± 2.8. Overall, significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. However, compared with ataxic patients, PD patients scored significantly lower on item 11 (turn 360°) and higher on item 14 (standing on one leg). Our results suggest that postural instabilities in PD patients are characterized by the inability to maintain balance while turning. This indicates that exercise programs to maintain balance while turning may be useful for preventing falls that occur while turning.
パーキンソン病患者における方向転換時バランス保持の重要性 : 転倒予防に向けて
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