Affiliations: Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey | Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Hale Karapolat, MD, Associate Prof Dr., Ege University Medical Faculty, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. Tel.: +902323902406; Fax: +902323881953/120; E-mails: halekarapolat@gmail.com; hale.karapolat@ege.edu.tr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Patients with Parkinson’s disease complain about restrictions in their daily life activities and impairment in their mobility and balance. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the effects of vestibular rehabilitation on functioning, quality of life, balance, and postural stability in patients with Parkinson’s disease. METHODS:The patients with Parkinson’s disease divided into a rehabilitation group (Group 1, n: 29) and a control group(Group 2, n: 11). All patients were evaluated before and after eight weeks of customized vestibular rehabilitation for motor score (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale); quality of life (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39); balance (Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale [ABC], Timed Up and Go Test, Dynamic Gait Index [DGI], and Berg Balance Scale [BBS]); and postural stability (Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance [mCTSIB]. RESULTS:There were significant differences in the pre- and post-exercise ABC, BBS, and DGI scores in Group 1 (p < 0.05). A statistically significant impairment was observed in mCTSIB (firm and foam eyes closed [EC]) in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant intergroup differences in any of the parameters evaluated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:In this study, vestibular rehabilitation was found to be effective for improving balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
