Test could predict fall risk in Parkinson’s patients

Researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, stated that a few simple tests could predict the risks of falls in highly vulnerable Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting in impaired motor skills, speech, and other functions in the sufferer.

Business Week quoted study author Graham K. Kerr, Queensland University of Technology, as saying, “Falls are a major problem for people with Parkinson’s disease and can lead to injuries and reduced mobility, which can result in increasing weakness, loss of independence and increased use of nursing homes.”

Study details
Researchers followed 101 early-stage PD’s patients who lived independently and had the ability to walk without any form of support.

Researchers assessed the patients’ data of any falls that reportedly occurred over a period of six months.

Subjects were also evaluated on their balance and mobility with the help of baseline clinical and functional tests.

These tests looked for symptoms like visual function, balance and gait, strength, reaction time, the degree at which patients swayed while walking, and proprioception (awareness of the course of one’s limbs in space).

Test results
Researchers found that fallers, reportedly, had more problems concerning balance and walking.

Furthermore, those having more troubles in coordinating multi-joint movements were more prone to falls.

The study also revealed that 48 percent of the patients suffered a fall, and 24 percent fell more than once.

Additionally, 42 percent of the patients admitted falling a year before the beginning of the study.

The tests were, thus, able to precisely foretell a fall in 78 percent of the patients, stated study researchers.

They also found several similarities in fallers, including less leg strength, poor sensation in feet, dizziness upon standing, and imbalance during standing up.

In addition, they had a lot more swing in their body and problems controlling the order of their movements.

Modern Medicine quoted study authors as saying, “A combination of both disease-specific and balance- and mobility-related measures can accurately predict falls in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.”

“These tests are easy to implement and take only a short time to complete,” WebMD cited Kerr as saying.

“Once we can identify those at risk of falling, we can take steps to try to prevent these falls,” added Kerr.