What is Functional Mobility Applied to Parkinson’s Disease?

Abstract

Although yet poorly defined and often misused, the concept of functional mobility has been used in research studies as a more global and ecological outcome of patients’ health status. Functional mobility is a person’s physiological ability to move independently and safely in a variety of environments in order to accomplish functional activities or tasks and to participate in the activities of daily living, at home, work and in the community. Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a direct impact on patients’ motor control and on mobility in general. Even with optimal medical management, the progression of PD is associated with mounting impairments at different levels of body function, causing marked limitations in a wide variety of activities, as well as a severe disability and loss of autonomy. Despite this, for everyday functioning PD patients need to have a good functional mobility that allow them to get around effortlessly in a reasonable amount of time to access to the same environments as others. This paper reviewed the concept of functional mobility applied to PD. This was done through an International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF) perspective. Recommendations to address the known factors that contribute to a poor functional mobility were outlined while suggestions for clinical practice and research were made.

Measurement Instruments to Assess Functional Mobility in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

“…Reduction in FM is common and has a multifactorial nature in Parkinson's disease (PD) . Motor symptoms may contribute directly, through gait impairments, and indirectly because of bradykinesia, rigidity, and the presence of postural deformities (e.g., camptocormia or antecollis), which affect PD patients’ gait, balance, and transitions .…”

“…Motor symptoms may contribute directly, through gait impairments, and indirectly because of bradykinesia, rigidity, and the presence of postural deformities (e.g., camptocormia or antecollis), which affect PD patients’ gait, balance, and transitions . Also, the inability to simultaneously perform a cognitive and a motor task, and the presence of orthostatic hypotension symptoms and fatigue complaints, seems also to play an important role . FM is associated with significant associated disability and loss of independence leading to immobility and institutionalization.…”

“…1). 1,2 Although poorly defined, the concept of FM has been used in several recent research studies as a more global and illustrative outcome of patients' health status in their environment. 2,3 Reduction in FM is common and has a multifactorial nature in Parkinson's disease (PD).…”

“…1,2 Although poorly defined, the concept of FM has been used in several recent research studies as a more global and illustrative outcome of patients' health status in their environment. 2,3 Reduction in FM is common and has a multifactorial nature in Parkinson's disease (PD). 2 Motor symptoms may contribute directly, through gait impairments, and indirectly because of bradykinesia, rigidity, and the presence of postural deformities (e.g., camptocormia or antecollis), which affect PD patients' gait, balance, and transitions.…”

“…2 Also, the inability to simultaneously perform a cognitive and a motor task, and the presence of orthostatic hypotension symptoms and fatigue complaints, seems also to play an important role. 2 FM is associated with significant associated disability and loss of independence leading to immobility and institutionalization. Recognizing limitations in FM is important to better understand and address patients' daily real-life needs and monitoring them over time.…”