Levodopa effect upon functional balance of Parkinson's disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate functional balance in PD patients taking levodopa during their 'on' and 'off' phases.


METHODS
We evaluated 23 PD patients who were manifesting fluctuations of levodopa effect. All patients were assessed by Hoehn-Yahr, UPDRS-III and Schwab-England rating scales and by the Berg functional balance scale during a practically defined 'off' (at least after 12 h the last levodopa intake) and 'on' (the mobile state induced by the drug) phases.


RESULTS
Mean scores obtained for all scales showed improvements during the 'on' phase of levodopa and all of the comparisons were statistically significant. Mean scores of Berg scale moved from 31.7 during the 'off' phase to 42.7 during the 'on' phase. Mean UPDRS 'off' and 'on' scores were 50.6 and 32.0, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that Berg functional balance scale is able to detect changes in balance and that levodopa can modify the postural instability of PD patients.
Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Al. Casa Branca, 805 Ap. 141, 01408-001 São Paulo, Brazil.
Isabella C
IC
Nova
Mônica R
MR
Perracini
Henrique B
HB
Ferraz
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D014202:Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa