Home-Based Exercise Programs for Fall Prevention in Parkinson Disease

Effectiveness of Fall-Preventive Home Exercise Programs in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Falls are common in patients with Parkinson disease and may lead to reduced mobility, fear of falling, loss of independence, and injury. Exercise-based rehabilitation programs may help improve balance, gait, and physical performance in this population.

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of two home-based exercise programs in patients with Parkinson disease: the Otago Exercise Program and a structured home exercise program. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive exercise education and will perform their assigned home exercise program for 6 weeks.

Participants will be evaluated at baseline, at week 3, and at the end of week 6. The study will assess fall-related outcomes, freezing of gait, functional mobility, gait parameters, postural control, and physical performance. The results may help determine which home-based exercise approach is more effective for reducing fall risk and improving functional outcomes in patients with Parkinson disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Parkinson disease confirmed by a neurologist
• Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 or 4 Parkinson disease
• Diagnosis of Parkinson disease for at least 5 years
• Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
• Ability to walk independently or with minimal assistance
• Mini-Mental State Examination score >24

Exclusion Criteria:

• Balance or gait impairment due to causes other than Parkinson disease, such as severe orthopedic problems or another neurological disease
• Red flags suggestive of Parkinson-plus syndromes, such as symmetric onset, early falls, early-onset dementia, or gaze palsy
• History of serious fall-related injury or surgery within the last 6 months
• Any additional health condition that would prevent participation in the exercise program during the study period