Can postural control asymmetry predict falls in people with Parkinson's disease?

Victor Spiandor Beretta*, Fabio Augusto Barbieri, Diego Orcioli-Silva, Paulo Cezar Rocha Dos Santos, Lucas Simieli, Rodrigo Vitório, Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the relationship between postural asymmetry and falls in Parkinson's disease (PD). In total, 28 patients with PD were included. Postural control was analyzed in bipedal, tandem, and unipedal standing. Center of pressure (CoP) parameters were calculated for both limbs, and asymmetry was assessed using the asymmetry index. Logistic regression was used to predict/classify fallers through postural asymmetry. The Spearman correlation was performed to relate asymmetry and falls number. Poisson regression models were created to predict the number of falls in each condition. The results demonstrated that asymmetry can classify 75% of fallers and nonfallers. Asymmetry in anteroposterior-mean velocity of CoP in unipedal standing was related to the number of falls. Poisson regression showed that anteroposterior-mean velocity of CoP predicts falls in PD, indicating that increased asymmetry results in a greater number of falls. Anteroposterior-mean velocity of CoP seems to be a sensitive parameter to detect falls in PD, mainly during a postural challenging task.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)449-461
Number of pages13
JournalMotor Control
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018
Externally publishedYes

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