Professional paper
The effect of exercise programs on fall prevention for people with Parkinson’s disease
Marija Miletić
; Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Odjel za fi zikalnu medicinu i rehabilitaciju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Iva Šklempe Kokić
orcid.org/0000-0002-6558-3900
; Veleučilište Lavoslav Ružička u Vukovaru, Odjel za studij fi zioterapije, Vukovar, Hrvatska
Vladimira Vuletić
; Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zavod za neurologiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease gradually causes mobility impairment, dependence upon caregivers help and permanent disability for activities of daily living. The biggest problems are falls because they often leave the patients with permanent and severe consequences. The main reasons of patients’ limited mobility are fear of subsequent falls and associated injuries. Primary aim of the article is to determine whether the application of therapeutic exercise lowers the risk of fall. Secondary aim is to determine effect of exercise on general motor performance of the patients. Comprehensive database search was performed during January, 2013 with the purpose of fi nding relevant randomized trials on effects of therapeutic exercise on fall prevention among people with Parkinson’s disease. Results of the search confi rmed that therapeutic exercise can contribute to fall prevention, improvement
of general well-being and positively affects gait. Apart from positive effect on mental health of the patient, exercise contributes to
improvement of postural control, muscle strength, balance, coordination and gait stability, and combination of these components
reduces risk of falling to minimum. Despite numerous trials conducted, there is still need to carry out additional randomized
controlled trials to achieve more complete and high-quality insight to the effects of therapeutic exercise on fall prevention and general well-being of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease; fall prevention; stability; exercise
Hrčak ID:
112820
URI
Publication date:
15.1.2014.
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