Comparison of physical function and activity in home-care patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy elderly people

Abstract

Objective: To compare physical function and 24-h activity in home-care patients with Parkinson’s disease with those in healthy elderly people. Methods: Physical function (range of motion, muscle strength, activities of daily living, gait, and balance) was measured in 10 home-care patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD group) and 10 healthy elderly subjects (healthy group). As an indicator of the amount of physical activity per day, a triaxial accelerometer was used to measure the 24-h total impulse value; simultaneously, behavior recorders were used to measure 24-h posture. Results: The healthy group scored significantly higher in activities of daily living, walking speed, and balance. No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of range of motion, muscle strength, cadence, amount of physical activity per day, and number of postural changes. However, the PD group spent significantly more time per day standing and in a supine position. Conclusion: In the PD group, the amount of physical activity per day was comparable to that in the healthy elderly group, despite the decreased levels of activity caused by their impaired performance in activities of daily living. Range of motion and muscle strength may have been maintained by these patients’ self-training and by training at day-care centers. Our results suggest the importance of practicing postural transfers from the standing and supine positions and of intervention and guidance that aim to improve impaired performance in daily living. Hirosaki Med.J. 65:190―198,2014