Group Physical therapy program for patients with parkinson disease: alternative rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder causing loss of functional abilities and progressive loss of independence despite medical treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of group physical therapy on motor performance and activities of daily life in patients with Parkinson Disease (PD). Metodology Five patients (both sex, average age 69,2 years, mean time-period of PD5.2 years, average Hoehn and Yahr score 3 referred to the Clinic of Physical Therapy of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais in Poços de Caldas city, were evaluated (initial, intermediate and final stages) using the Berg Balance Scale (balance static and dynamic evaluation); Timed "Up &Go" tEST (gair evaluation); Bathel Index (activities of daily life evaluation). Thirty-five sessions were done, aiming to improve general mobility, static and dynamic balance using hearing and visual cues. Results: The data shows a statistical difference in balance, gait and daily life performance fot the average scores comparing three stages of evaluation (p < 005; block variance analysis followed by multiple comparison test), where the intermediate and final evaluation provided a better score compared with the initial one. Conclusion: Our data provided promissing results for the use of group physical therapy for patients with PD, providing a cost-effective alternative in physical therapy.