Comparative Effect of Visual Feedback Training versus Sensory Integration on Risk of Falling in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background. Falling is a major problem for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), as they are twice as likely to fall compared to other neurological conditions. The consequences of these falls are significant and often result in injuries that contribute to poor quality of life, and care giver stress. Aim. To compare the efficacy of visual feedback versus sensory integration training on risk of falling in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients. Materials and Methods. Thirty patients (13 females and 17 males) with idiopathic PD, aged from 60 to 75 years participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group (A) received visual feedback training on the Biodex Balance System and group (B) received sensory integration training. Twelve training sessions were given, three times per week, for four weeks. Assessment of overall stability index (fall risk index) and sway index using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (m-CTSIB) was done pre-and post-treatment. Results. Both groups (A and B) showed significant decrease in the overall stability index post treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, there was significant difference between both groups in the overall stability index post-treatment (p < 0.05), being lower in group A compared to B. Finally, a significant decrease in sway index was also reported post treatment in both groups (p < 0.05), being significantly lower in group A compared to group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Visual feedback training yields improvement in decreasing risk of falling in PD patients compared to sensory integration training.