Effects of Balance Training Using Balance Simulator Instrument on Postural Stability in the Patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a kind of motion disorders of central nervous system that is caused by degeneration of basal ganglia. Postural instability is one of the important clinical presentations of PD. The aim of present study was to determine the efficacy of balance trainings using balance simulator instrument on postural stability along with medications in this spectrum of patients. In this interventional study, thirty patients with PD and balance disturbances were selected and referred to rehabilitation ward during a 7-month period. Patients underwent 12 sessions of physical therapy programs for 4 weeks. Design of study was an interventional before-after trial. Evaluation was performed using Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale questionnaire, falling risk and postural instability indices of Biodex instrument and obtained data were analyzed using t-test and wilcoxon statistical tests. The IRCT code for this study is 201212163217 N6. The mean TUG before trainings was 21.8±12.91 seconds and reached to 17.8 ±9.29 (s) afterward (P<0.001). The fall risk and postural instability of 29 patients improved after interventions and deteriorated just in one case. The average of BBS before exercises was 42.6±11.16 and increased to 48.4±7.06 after intervention significantly (P<0.001). Performing balance trainings lead to increase in walking speed, decrease in fall risk and improvement of postural stability and daily functional activities in patients with PD. Further studies for comparing the effectiveness of diverse rehabilitation treatments as well as long term follow up of patients will be necessary.