Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of BSS training on balance, gait and fatigue in PD patients.

Background: Postural instability is a common feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which results in frequent falls. Exercise is known to improve motor and non-motor functions in PD; however there is scarcity of studies determining the efficacy of balance specific training, specifically using the Biodex stability system (BSS) in this population.

Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized pilot study in which 20 PD subjects with Hoehn and Yahr stages I – III participated in balance training; 10 used BSS (BSS group) and 10 performed supervised balance exercise training without BSS (Non-BSS). Subjects participated in exercise sessions 3 times a week for 4 weeks for 55 minutes per session. Balance and gait were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), forward reach test (FRT), and gait speed. Fatigue was assessed with the fatigue severity scale (FSS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the 6 minute walk test (6MWT) were used to assess functional status. All assessments were performed at baseline and post exercise intervention.

Results: Significant between group differnece was found for fatigue only (p < 0.02). Significant within groups differences (post – pre, p-value) were found for the BBS (5.9, p < 0.005), FRT (3.83 inches, p < 0.005), gait velocity (0.13 m/s, p < 0.009), TUG (1.87 sec, p < 0.005), and 6 minute walk test (57.7 m, p < 0.005) in the BSS group and for the Non-BSS group, significant within group difference was seen in the BBS (6.7, p < 0.005), FRT (2.02 inches, p < 0.01), gait velocity (0.14 m/s, p < 0.022), and TUG (-2.14 sec, p < 0.005). Additionally, a significant within group change in fatigue severity scale was noted in BSS group only (-13.4, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Four weeks of exercise training using the BSS improved balance, gait speed and fatigue in adults with PD. However, improvements in balance and gait were also seen after an exercise program that did not use the BSS. This suggests that for the measures used in this study, both forms of balance training were beneficial and there were no differences between BSS training and general exercise balance training except for an a significantly greater improvement in fatigue with the BSS.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-the-biodex-stability-system-training-on-balance-gait-and-fatigue-in-parkinsons-disease/