Impact of Parkinson’s disease in the performance of balance with different attentional demands

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the balance of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in Tandem stance with eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and in dual task condition (DT). This is a cross-sectional study, composed of 19 individuals with mild to moderate PD. Patients were evaluated in a BIOMEC400 force platform. The parameters analyzed were: area of the foot center of pressure (COP), COP amplitude and speed, in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. We found statistically significant results for AP and ML amplitude of the COP and COP area, with higher values for the stances EC Tandem and DT Tandem, when compared with EO Tandem. The values of AP and ML average speed were higher in EC Tandem when compared with EO Tandem (P=0.009 and P=0.000), respectively. We concluded that, when individuals with PD undergo cognitive challenges, they behave as if they were with eyes closed regarding balance changes. This reinforces the need to introduce, in the therapeutic plan of these individuals, activities that require the practice of these skills.