Biofeedback Balance Exercises in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, degenerative movement disorder, the incidence of which increases with age, characterized by motor and non-motor findings. Cardinal motor findings such as bradykinesia, rigidity, rest tremor, postural instability, and gait dysfunction and secondary motor symptoms additional to these such as dysarthria, and associated movements in the arms may be seen throughout the course of the disease. Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons occurs in the basal ganglia, together with a decrease in the speed and angle of movement. Loss of postural reflexes causes balance disturbance findings such as impaired postural control, rigidity in the extremities, and akinesia.Falls, decreased mobility, disability and quality of life impairment occur as a result of balance disorder. Higher rates of falls or fall-related fractures have been reported in PD compared to the non-PD elderly population.There are several exercise applications aimed at balance improving strategies in PD. Strengthening exercises combined with conventional balance exercises, treadmill walking training, tai chi, and biofeedback have been shown to improve gait and and balance control in PD. Various publications have shown that biofeedback therapy in elderly individuals and in healthy individuals with postural disorder exhibits positive effects on balance by enhancing postural stability and reducing body tremor. The basic aim of this study was to investigate the effects of static posturography-assisted visual and auditory biofeedback therapy on balance and the risk of falls in PD. In addition, the study was intended to determine the effects of balance training on the individual's daily living activities, perceived safety level, and emotional state.