Examining the change of upper and lower extremity skills with the effect of dual task in parkinson's disease patients

This study planned with the aim of to compare dual task upper and lower extremity skills with single taskupper and lower extremity skills and to investigate the effect of the dual task on upper and lower extremity skills in Parkinson's disease patients with different stages of disease. 15 patients with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) score 21 or above, between 62-68 ages, in stage 1-2 (mild stage) according to the Modified Hoehn &Yahr Scale and 15 patients with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) score 21 or above, between 64-72 ages in stage 2,5-3 (moderate stage) according to the Modified Hoehn &Yahr Scale and 15 age matched healthy controls were included in the study. The demographic data of the patients were recorded and assessments were made while the patients were in the "on" period. Walking speed was assessed with 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), functional mobility skills was assessed with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and manual dexterity was assessed with Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT). These assessments were made during single task and dual task. Quality of life was assessed with Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8) for Parkinson's disease patients and with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for the healthy control group. In this study, it was determined that the dual task has a negative effect on upper and lower extremity skills and this negative effect was observed earlier and was heavier in upper extremities than lower extremities (p<0.05). It was also found that the quality of life of Parkinson's disease patients was affected from the early stages and was associated with dual tasks effect (10MWT; rho=0.492, p=0.006), TUG; rho=0.672, p<0.001, PPT; rho=-0.682, p<0.01). The effect of the dual task on the upper extremities that begins in the early stages of the disease, revealed the necessity of early initiation of the exercises intended to upper extremities in treatment programs and it was thought that this early initiation will increase the success of the treatment and also will increase the quality of life of the patients. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, dual task, balance, gait, manual dexterity, quality of life