PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC PERCEPTION OF PARKINSONIAN INDIVIDUALS CORRELATING ASSESSMENT SCALES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, rigid muscles, and postural instability. It may lead to neurological, cognitive, and respiratory alterations, causing functional limitations that vary according to the level of symptomatic severity. As a result, daily life and labour activities may be decreased, in addition to gradual self-removal from social life. Objective: To correlate assessment scales from the kinetic functional state, cognitive impairment, and quality of life in three individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Material and Methods: Three patients were involved in the study, two female and one male, age group varying between 51 and 61 years and educational level varying since completed elementary school up to graduate degree in the educational area. In order to characterize the study subjects as to Parkinson’s disease staging, before starting the physiotherapeutic treatment, the following questionnaires were used: Mini-Mental State Examination (MEEM), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and Tinetti Mobility and Balance Scale / Gait Scale. Results: The three patients presented deficit in both balance and gait analyses, with distinct walking movements, such as idling, short steps and asymmetrical steps. All patients also showed moderate risk of falls. Conclusion: There was a correlation as to the application of the assessment scales of the kinetic-functional state, given that the three patients showed balance and gait deficits detected in the Tinetti’s Mobility and Balance Scale and in the Gait test. DESCRIPTORS Parkinson’s Disease. Disability Assessment. Quality of Life.