Effect of Home Physiotherapy on Balance and Dynamic as Well as Kinematic Movement Characteristics of the Dominant Hand for People with Parkinson`s Disease

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease of the elderly, characterized by
motor symptoms (resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability) when the extrapyramidal system
lacks dopamine. Studies have shown that physiotherapy together with the usual medication used to treat PD can slow
down the increasing immobility.
Research aim was to assess the effect of home physiotherapy on balance and dynamic as well as kinematic
movement characteristics of the dominant hand for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Research methods. Research group consisted of 8 patients with PD, stage 1–2 of the disease, the symptoms of
which were expressed on the right hand. The study was conducted using Fullerton balance test and the human arm
and leg movement Dynamic Parameter Analyser DPA-1.
Research results. Balance as well as kinematic and dynamic characteristics of movements for patients with PD
statistically significantly improved (p < 0.05) after the physiotherapy exercise cycle at home.
Discussion  and  conclusions.  After  physiotherapy,  coordination  of  the  dominant  hand  for  patients  with  PD
significantly improved: reaction time became shorter, maximum and average task speed increased, balance improved
statistically  significantly. The  results  showed  that  physiotherapy  at  home  was  an  effective  and  reliable  way  for
patients with PD to train their balance as well as kinematic and dynamic characteristics of their movements.

Keywords: physiotherapy, Parkinson’s disease, reaction time.