Abstract
Background: Relationship between abnormal posture and QOL of Parkinson's disease is not clear. Objectives: To clarify the association between quality of life (QOL) and abnormal posture in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and examine which QOL dimensions are involved. Methods: This study retrospectively examined PD patients (n = 57) who had undergone outpatient rehabilitation between January and March 2014. Evaluation items were Modified Hoehn Yahr (H-Y) stage, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-Part III score, Timed Up and Go test (TUG, 3-m walking) result, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)-39 score, and the angle of forward and lateral trunk flexion in the standing position. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between the total PDQ-39 score and individual evaluation items and which QOL dimensions were affected by abnormal posture due to forward or lateral flexion. Results: A total of 38 PD patients (17 men, 21 women; mean age, 73.2 ± 8.6 years) were enrolled. Among the evaluation items, lateral flexion angle showed a significant correlation with the total PDQ-39 score (r = 0.422, P = 0.008). PDQ-39 dimensions showing an association with forward flexion were activities of daily living (ADL) (P = 0.002) and communication (P = 0.007), whereas ADL (P = 0.004), communication (P = 0.021), and social support (P = 0.029) were associated with lateral flexion. Mobility was not associated with forward or lateral flexion. Conclusion: The present findings revealed a correlation between lateral flexion and QOL in PD patients. Among the PDQ-39 dimensions, ADL and communication were associated with abnormal posture.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive chronic disease with motor symptoms as the primary manifestations
A significant correlation was observed between the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)-39 score and lateral flexion angle
PDQ-39 dimensions affected by forward flexion were activities of daily living (ADL) (P = 0.002) and communication (P = 0.007), but not mobility (Table 3), whereas those affected by lateral flexion angle were ADL (P = 0.004), communication (P = 0.021), and social support (P = 0.029), but not mobility (Table 4)
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive chronic disease with motor symptoms as the primary manifestations. According to the Global Parkinson’s Disease Survey Steering Committee, bipolar disease, inability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), and gait disorder were factors adversely affecting QOL [4]. As these reports show, many disease-related factors influence QOL in PD patients, and it is important to recognize and integrate clinical symptoms and patient complaints [5]. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between the total PDQ-39 score and individual evaluation items and which QOL dimensions were affected by abnormal posture due to forward or lateral flexion. Among the PDQ-39 dimensions, ADL and communication were associated with abnormal posture
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