Impact of changes in balance and walking capacity on the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms that cause the decline of functional capacity and affect the quality of life (QoL). Objective: To evaluate the impact of changes in balance and walking capacity on the PD. Methods: The instruments used were: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (HY), Schwab and England scale (SE), quality of life questionnaire (PDQ-39), Berg balance Scale (BBS) and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: Thirty-six patients with mean disease duration of 7.3 years were assessed. Lower scores on the BBS and shorter distances walked during the 6MWT correlated with a poorer perception of QoL. This correlation occurred at the expense of the mobility and daily living activities domains. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the impairment in balance while performing functional activities and the reduction in walking capacity are important factors that negatively affect the perception of QoL in PD patients.