GROUP PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON DISEASE: alternative rehabilitation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder causing loss of functional abilities
and progressive loss of independence despite medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
was to evaluate the effects of group physical therapy on motor performance and activities of daily life
in patients with Parkinson Disease (PD). METODOLOGY: Five patients (both sex, average age: 69.2
years, mean time-period of PD: 5.2 years, average Hoehn and Yahr score: 3) referred to the Clinic of
Physical Therapy of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais in Poços de Caldas city, were evaluated
(initial, intermediate and final stages) using: the Berg Balance Scale (balance static and dynamic evaluation);
Timed “Up & Go” Test (gait evaluation); Barthel Index (activities of daily life evaluation). Thirty-five
sessions were done, aiming to: improve general mobility, static and dynamic balance using hearing and
visual cues. RESULTS: The data shows a statistical difference in balance, gait and daily life performance
for the average scores comparing three stages of evaluation (p<005; block variance analysis followed
by multiple comparison test), where the intermediate and final evaluation provided a better score
compared with the initial one. CONCLUSION: Our data provided promising results for the use of
group physical therapy for patients with PD, providing a cost-effective alternative in physical therapy.