Acute effects of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in idiopathic Parkinson's disease:A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Decreased axial rotation, impaired coordination between axial segments and axial tone contribute to gait, balance and postural disorders in Parkinson's Disease. AIMS: The aim of our study was to examine the acute effects of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at Hacettepe University. The study included 28 patients with Parkinson's Disease who were between stage 2-3 according to the Modified Hoehn&Yahr Staging Scale. Participants were randomised to the study group, including 10 minutes of lumbosacral mobilization, or the control group, including no intervention. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Modified Parkinson's Activity Scale (MPAS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and static posturography test (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance - mCTSIB) were all examined twice. RESULTS: The UPDRS, MPAS, DGI values and the composite score with the soft ground eyes open condition in the mCTSIB were improved in the study group (p < 0.05). DGI and MPAS values reached the level of significance between the groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to examine the effect of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in patients with Parkinson's disease. Lumbosacral mobilization is an effective method in PwPD. Lumbosacral mobilization may be an alternative way for these patients to improve their balance and functional activities.