Effect of Vestibular-Oriented Balance Training on Postural Control and Risk of Fall in Patients With Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects balance and increases the risk of falling by compromising vestibular signal processing. Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of vestibular-oriented balance training on postural control and fall risk among people in the middle stages of PD. Methods: Forty middle-stage individuals with PD were assigned to the vestibular-oriented balance training (study group) or the traditional balance training (control group). Outcome measures including Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) using the Biodex Balance System were measured before, immediately after and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: There was a significant group interaction by time for all outcome measures (p < 0.001). The results showed that the difference in the FGA and mCTSIB scores from baseline was significant between the two groups at all time points (p < 0.001). The study group showed significant sustained improvements in the FGA score overtime, while the control group had a significant improvement at Week 8 but that did not last to Week 12. In mCTSIB, the study group improved significantly in all test conditions (p < 0.001), while the control group showed significant improvement only in Conditions 1 and 2, without lasting effects at Week 12 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that the implementation of vestibular-oriented balance training during the middle stage of PD might have a notable and lasting impact on both postural control and the risk of falls.