Post-Physical Therapy 4-Month In-Home Dynamic Standing Protocol Maintains Physical Therapy Gains and Improves Mobility, Balance Confidence, Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Examiner-Blinded Feasibility Clinical Trial.

Objective: Parkinson's patients will experience mobility disturbances with disease progression. Beneficial effects of physical therapy are short-lasting. Novel interventions are needed to maintain these benefits.

Association of Specific Leg Muscle Strength and Motor Features in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Postural instability and gait difficulties (PIGD) are a significant cause of falls, mobility loss, and lower quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). The connection between PD progression and diminished strength in the lower limbs has been acknowledged. However, the identification of specific muscle groups linked to PIGD and non-PIGD motor features is still unknown.

Composite measures of motor performance and self-efficacy are better determinants of postural instability and gait difficulties than individual clinical measures in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Postural instability and gait difficulties (PIGD) are a significant cause of disability and loss of quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's Disease. Most research on clinical predictors of PIGD measures have focused on individual clinical often motor performance variables, However, PIGD motor features often result in fear of falling (FoF) lowering a patient's mobility self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to assess composite measures of motor and self-efficacy determinants PIGD motor features in PD and compare these to analysis of individual clinical metrics.

Vestibular Sensory Conflict During Postural Control, Freezing of Gait, and Falls in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The vestibular system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of episodic motor impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD), but specific evidence remains lacking.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between the presence of freezing of gait and falls and postural failure during the performance on Romberg test condition 4 in patients with PD.

Methods: Modified Romberg sensory conflict test, fall, and freezing-of-gait assessments were performed in 92 patients with PD (70 males/22 females; mean age, 67.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of AxioBionics Wearable Therapy Pain Management System in Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain.

Chronic lower back pain is one of the most common medical conditions leading to a significant decrease in quality of life. This study retrospectively analyzed whether the AxioBionics Wearable Therapy Pain Management (WTPM) System, a customized and wearable electrical stimulation device, alleviated chronic lower back pain, and improved muscular function. This study assessed self-reported pain levels using the visual analog scale before and during the use of the AxioBionics WTPM System when performing normal activities such as sitting, standing, and walking (n = 69).

Treatment options for postural instability and gait difficulties in Parkinson's disease.

: Gait and balance disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) represent a major therapeutic challenge as frequent falls and freezing of gait impair quality of life and predict mortality. Limited dopaminergic therapy responses implicate non-dopaminergic mechanisms calling for alternative therapies.: The authors provide a review that encompasses pathophysiological changes involved in axial motor impairments in PD, pharmacological approaches, exercise, and physical therapy, improving physical activity levels, invasive and non-invasive neurostimulation, cueing interventions and wearable technology, and cognitive interventions.