Cognitive Function and Postural Control Strategies in Relation to Disease Progression in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed the influence of performing an additional cognitive task on center of pressure (COP) displacement in the early and advanced stages of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to age-matched healthy controls (HCs). Methods: The study included 40 HCs and 62 patients with PD: early PD (n = 38) and advanced PD (n = 24). COP parameters were determined by static posturography during quiet standing with open eyes (ST, single task) and simultaneous performance of a cognitive task (DT, dual task). Cognitive functioning was examined with a Mini Mental State Examination, number-counting-backward test, and number of enunciated words during DT. Results: In the advanced-PD group, DT significantly reduced the sway radius (p = 0.009), area of stabilogram (p = 0.034), medio-lateral length (p = 0.027), and velocity (p = 0.033) compared to ST. In HCs, DT showed a significant increase in the sway radius (p = 0.006), total length (p = 0.039), sway velocity (p = 0.037), anterior–posterior length, and sway velocity. Both PD groups showed worse cognitive performance compared to HCs. Conclusions: Both early and advanced patients with PD showed significant delay in cognitive performance associated with executive function compared to the HCs. During additional cognitive tasks, patients with advanced stages of PD may reduce stabilographic parameters in medio-lateral direction, and this is probably an adaptive strategy to restore balance.

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“…Regarding functional decline, guidelines recommend physical therapy early at the onset of the disease [ 6 ], but there is not strong evidence on benefits in terms of preventing the beginning of advanced symptoms and the progression of severity, while understanding the key role of gait and balance has important clinical application. Identifying new effective interventions for counteracting disability is a priority in the rehabilitation of PD patients [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”