Influência do equilíbrio postural na marcha e desempenho funcional de indivíduos com DP: uma por acelerometria e do teste Timed Up And Go

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that impairs balance, gait, and functional performance, significantly impacting autonomy and quality of life. With technological advancements, wearable devices such as inertial sensors have been employed for the precise measurement of gait and balance parameters. The combined use of validated clinical instruments and technological resources has the potential to enhance the stratification of functional assessment and optimize therapeutic approaches in PD rehabilitation. Objective: To compare spatiotemporal gait parameters and functional performance, assessed using inertial sensors, among individuals with PD classified into different balance levels according to the MiniBESTest. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate correlations between balance, gait, and functionality, as well as the influence of sociodemographic variables on balance level stratification. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted with 46 individuals diagnosed with PD, recruited at the Getúlio Vargas University Hospital (HUGV/UFAM). Participants were assessed for postural balance (MiniBESTest), gait (10-meter walk test), and functional performance (Timed Up and Go – TUG test). Sociodemographic data, disease duration, fall history, and fear of falling were recorded. Participants were divided into two groups based on their MiniBESTest performance (low balance performance vs. normal balance), and data were statistically analyzed using comparison tests, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Results: Participants with lower functional performance exhibited reduced gait speed and cadence, shorter stride length, prolonged step duration, and worse TUG phase times, particularly in turning and returning to the seated position. Moderate to strong correlations were identified between MiniBESTest scores and gait parameters, as well as TUG performance. Regression analysis indicated that gait speed and age were the main predictors of postural balance performance. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that postural balance directly influences gait patterns and functional performance in individuals with PD. The integration of clinical tests with wearable technologies proved effective in characterizing the functional status of the sample, providing valuable insights for a more sensitive and personalized approach in monitoring and rehabilitating these individuals.