Analysis of the Parameters Obtained on Stabilometric Platform in Patients With PD

Analysis of the Parameters Obtained on Stabilometric Platform in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: a Basis for a Rehabilitation Perspective

Objective: To analyze different parameters in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) obtained through the use of a stabilometric platform and compare them with those of a control population. To interpret the data in order to find some postural instability indicators that can become useful to build a rehabilitation strategy for balance disorders in PD.

Background: Posture and balance are the foundation on wich upright stance and walking are executed. Postural instability is the impairment in balance that compromises the ability to maintain or change posture such as standing and walking. It is considered to be one of the cardinal features of PD. In such patients it is present even at diagnosis and worsens with disease progression. It correlates with falls representing a major source of disability and reduced QoL in PD. In this course, the study of balance is important to identify patients who can benefit from specific rehabilitative treatment.

Objective: To analyze different parameters in patients with PD obtained through the use of a stabilometric platform and compare them with those of a control population. To interpret the data in order to find some postural instability indicators that can become useful to build a rehabilitation strategy for balance disorders in PD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PD according to Gelb et al., in Hoehn-Yahr stage 3, with the ability to walk without any assistance, who had fallen in the last year at least 2 times, with mini-mental state examination score ≥26.
• Healthy volunteers

Exclusion Criteria:

• atypical parkinsonism
• patients with cerebro-vascular disorders or other neurological conditions including cognitive impairment.
• patients with relevant comorbidity or vestibular/visual dysfunctions limiting locomotion or balance.