Determination of the factors affecting the level of physical activity in patients with idiopathic parkinson's disease

Objective: To determine the factors effecting the physical activity level of patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD). Methods: Fifty-six PD patients, 58 healthy subjects were participated in the study. The disease-specific disability was assessed with the Modified Hoehn&Yahr (H&Y) and Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rate Scale (MDS UPDRS). The physical activity level was measured by the Godin Leisure Exercise Questionnaire and the SenseWear Arm Band activity monitor. Participants' postural stability was examined with Neurocom Balance Master System, functional mobility with Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, gait speed with 10 meter Walk Test (10 MWT), freezing with Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, gait capacity with 6 minute walk test, fatigue with Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), fear of falling with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International, daily activities with the Schwab and England Daily Life Activities Scale, quality of life with the 8-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire. Results: The step numbers, sleep duration, sedentary behaviour outcomes were lower, and the total energy expenditure was higher in PD patients than the healthy subjects (p<0,05). Step numbers were correlated with modified H&Y, MDS UPDRS-part II and limit of stability test (LOS) outcomes; the sedentary behaviour outcome was correlated with LOS, TUG and 10 MWT; the sleep duration was correlated with MDS UPDRS-part II and FIS-physical section in patients (p<0,05). Conclusion: The physical activity level of patients could be affected by disease-specific symptoms, functional mobility, dynamic postural instability, gait function, sleep quality and fatigue. Individualized physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs should be designed to improve these factors to increase physical activity level of patients. Key Words: Parkinson Disease, Physical Activity, Activity Monitor, Postural Stability