Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of the clinical scales used for the evaluation of gait and balance in the patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Patients and Methods: The study enrolled a total of 40 patients with PD (24 males, 16 females; mean age 61.8±8.5 years; range 53 to 70 years). Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test, while gait and balance were evaluated by the Turkish Neurology Society Gait and Balance Disorders Form, Lateral Functional Reach (LFR) test, Forward Functional Reach (FFR) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti Balance Scale.

Results: The mean age at disease onset was 56.9±9.5 years. The patients with mild cognitive disorder needed longer time to complete Posturo-Locomotion-Manual (PLM) test and Stand-Walk-Sit (SWS) test. The patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage 2 PD showed longer LFR and FFR distances, longer time for PLM, SWS and 360 degree rotation and higher total scores for BBS, Tinetti gait test as well as posture and balance tests. The patients with higher Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores showed prolonged time for PLM test, BBS and lower Tinetti gait scores.

Conclusion: We believe that these tests which are used in the clinical practice are reliable for the evaluation of the patients and that may be helpful for the evaluation of functional level, prognosis, the risk for falls and the efficacy of other therapeutic approaches in the patients with PD.