Factors predicting fear of falling avoidance behavior in parkinsonisms

Freezing of Gait Is Associated with Daily Activity Limitations among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study investigated the relationship between freezing of gait and daily activities among individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to Parkinson's disease by determining differences in caregiver-reported daily activity performance between individuals with and without freezing of gait. Cross-sectional baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study were used with 24 participants. Caregivers completed the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ). Using a Mann-Whitney U test, findings indicated that participants with freezing of gait reported overall higher functional impairment levels on the ADLQ (p=.001), including the household, travel, self-care, employment and recreation, and communication subscores, indicating more perceived impairment. Findings show freezing of gait is associated with daily activity limitations in the home and the community among individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to Parkinson's disease. Clinicians should consider assessing freezing of gait, as early detection can inform the selection of interventions and strategies to minimize its impact on the performance of daily activities.

The psychometric properties of the modified fear of falling avoidance behavior questionnaire in Parkinson's disease and older adults

Introduction

The Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ) has good psychometric properties. However, we have recently modified the FFABQ (mFFABQ) to improve the clarity of the questions and Likert responses. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of this modified version in older adults and people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

A total of 88 participants, 39 with PD (age = 72.2 ± 9.5; 29 males, 10 females) and 49 older adults (age = 72.8 ± 5.0; 13 males, 36 females), answered the mFFABQ twice, separated by 1 week, for test-retest reliability. Construct validity was evaluated through correlational analyses with fall history, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go, 30-Second Sit to Stand, Sensory Organization Test, Zung Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Consequences of Falling Questionnaire (CoFQ), and average daily activity levels using an activity monitor.

Results

The mFFABQ had good overall test-retest reliability (intraclass correlational coefficient [ICC] = 0.822; older adult ICC = 0.781, PD ICC = 0.806). The mFFABQ correlated with fall history (r = -0.430) and exhibited high correlation with the ABC (rho = -0.804) and moderate correlations with CoFQ (rho = 0.582) and BBS (rho = -0.595). The mFFABQ also correlated with time stepping (rho = -0.298) and number of steps (rho = -0.358).

Conclusion

These results provide supportive evidence for the reliability and validity of the mFFABQ in older adults and people with PD, which supports its suitability as a clinical and research tool for the assessment of fear of falling avoidance behavior.

Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior in Parkinson's Disease: Most Frequently Avoided Activities

BACKGROUND

Fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is common in Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study are to determine what activities are most avoided due to FFAB among people with PD and whether any associations exist with demographic factors or fall history.

METHOD

Cross-sectional analysis of 174 individuals with PD using the Modified FFAB Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Walking in dimly lit, unfamiliar places, and different surfaces, lifting and carrying objects, walking in crowded places, recreational/leisure activities, and going up/downstairs were most avoided. Fallers reported more FFAB (ps < .029). FFAB for certain activities was associated with increased or decreased odds of falling.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with PD avoid walking in compromised situations and engaging in recreational/leisure activities due to FFAB. While excessive FFAB may increase the odds of falling, protective forms may be associated with decreased odds. Targeting FFAB among individuals with PD may increase safe participation in meaningful occupations in the home and community.

Development and Validation of a Fall Questionnaire for Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Background

In Parkinson's disease, postural instability and falls are of particular socioeconomic relevance. Although effective fall prevention and the prophylaxis of fall‐related injuries depend on low‐threshold symptom monitoring, validated instruments are lacking.

Objectives

To develop a self‐report questionnaire for the assessment of falls, near falls, fear of falling, fall‐related injuries, and causes of falls for patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPD).

Methods

A pool of potential items was generated from a literature review and by discussion in an expert panel. The first version of the Dresden Fall Questionnaire (DREFAQ) was tested in a group of German‐speaking movement disorder specialists as well as PwPD. The resulting 5‐item questionnaire was assessed in a validation cohort of 36 PwPD who documented fall events and near‐fall events in a calendar for 3 months and completed the DREFAQ at the end of the study. The questionnaire was subsequently used in a separate cohort of 46 PwPD to determine test–retest reliability and confirm the factor structure.

Results

The DREFAQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.84) and good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.86). The total DREFAQ score showed good concurrent validity with fall events (Spearman's ρ = 0.82) and near‐fall events (Spearman's ρ = 0.78) as determined by fall and near‐fall diaries. Factor analysis revealed a 2‐factor structure composed of near falls with fear of falling and severe falls with injuries.

Conclusions

The DREFAQ is a reliable and valid 5‐item questionnaire for determining the incidence of falls, near falls, fear of falling, fall‐related injuries, and causes of falls in PwPD.

Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Exercise in Improving Gait and Balance in Cases of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE)-based intervention in the improvement of motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is controversial. The present study aimed to assess the effects of TCE on balance and gait outcomes, as well as motor symptoms in individuals with PD, and evaluate potential discrete moderators such as TCE dosage-related variables.

Method

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane's Library, Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus were systematically searched from their dates of inception to February 2022. All studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCE-based interventions for PD. The treatment effects were estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis model with standardized mean differences (Hedges' g). The Physiotherapy Evidence Database was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the study.

Result

Fifteen studies involving a total of 873 participants were included in the final analysis. The meta-analytic findings revealed significant improvements in balance outcomes [Berg Balance Scales (BBS) (g = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.37–1.29, p = 0.000, I² = 84%), time up and go (TUG) (g = −0.80, 95% CI = −1.13– −0.47, p = 0.000, I² = 81%), and the one legged blind balance test (g = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.13–0.86, p = 0.01, I² = 10%)], as well as gait outcomes [gait velocity (g = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.02–0.54, p = 0.04, I² = 64%), 6-min walking test (6MWT) (g = 0.32, 95% CI 0.01–0.62, p = 0.04, I²= 15%), stride length (g = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.08–0.41, p = 0.003, I² = 42%)], and motor symptoms [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) (g = −0.77, 95% CI = −1.06– −0.48, p = 0.000, I² = 76%)]. However, cadence (g = −0.03) and step length (g = 0.02) did not differ significantly. The moderator shows that the effects of TCE on BBS and gait velocity were moderated by Pedro score, exercise type, control group type, and number of sessions. Meta-regression found that TCE (exercise duration, number of sessions, and session duration) was significantly associated with improved UPDRS-III and BBS scores.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence for the therapeutic benefits of TCE as an adjunct therapy for patients with PD. TEC dosage (high-intensity long sessions) may moderate some favorable effects.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022314686.