Work

Discordance Between Balance Ability and Perception and Its Relation to Falls in Parkinson’s Disease: A Replication Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Falls are a common challenge for people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), driven by balance impairments and misaligned perceptions of balance abilities. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the replicability and generalizability of the relationship between balance ability and perception discordance and fall risk. METHODS: Using baseline data from 2 clinical trials involving 171 PwPD, discordance was calculated using the Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale and Timed Up and Go (TUG) or the Mini Balance Evaluation System's Test (MiniBEST). RESULTS: Findings supported the replicability of discordance as a predictor of fall risk, with results consistent across measures. While TUG-derived discordance was statistically significant, MiniBEST-derived discordance showed generalizability without statistical inferiority. CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the relevance of balance perception and its misalignment with ability as fall risk predictors.

Source: Neurorehabilitation and neural repair

DOI: 10.1177/15459683251335316

Authors: Jason K. Longhurst, Andrew Hooyman, Franziska Albrecht, Erika Franzén, Daniel S. Peterson

Institutions: Saint Louis University, Chapman University, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Vetenskapsrådet, Center for Innovative Medicine, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research