Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between knee extensor strength, postural
stability, functional ambulation, and disease severity in Parkinson's disease
(PD). DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: University research laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=44) with idiopathic PD. INTERVENTION: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were evaluated on their isokinetic knee
extensor strength. Additionally, participants completed an assessment of their
postural stability (Functional Reach Test for static stability and a dynamic
postural stability assessment as measured by the center of pressure-center of
mass moment arm during gait initiation). Participants also underwent an
evaluation of their functional ambulation as measured by a 6-minute walk test.
Lastly, participants were evaluated by a neurologist specially trained in
movement disorders to assess neurologic status and disease severity using the
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr disability score.
RESULTS: Knee extensor strength positively correlated with dynamic postural
stability and negatively correlated with disease severity. Further, dynamic
postural stability was negatively correlated to disease severity and positively
correlated with functional ambulation in this cohort of patients with PD (P<.05).
The results also suggest that the Functional Reach Test may be a valuable
assessment tool to examine postural stability in PD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings
suggest a malleable relationship between knee extensor strength, dynamic
stability, and disease severity in PD. Although strength is only one piece of the
puzzle in the functional outcome of PD, these findings may assist clinicians in
designing appropriate interventions aimed at increasing function and decreasing
fall risk in PD.
CI - Copyright 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS