Article

The objectives of the present study were to assess the effects of
dopaminergic drugs on the postural balance of Parkinson disease (PD) patients and
to ascertain whether their sway is greater along the mediolateral or the
anteroposterior axis. DESIGN: Twenty-two patients awaiting operations for
implantation of a deep brain stimulator at the neurology service of Hospital das
Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine (HC-FMUSP), were assessed.
All of them were assessed on the AccuSway portable force platform, through
evaluation of the center of pressure. The patients stayed standing upright on
both feet with the eyes open and closed for 60-sec periods. Center-of-pressure
displacements along the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes and the
displacement velocity and the elliptical area covered by 95% of the displacement
were measured. Two assessments were made: without medication (at least 12 hrs
after the last administration) and with the effects from levodopa. RESULTS: The
elliptical displacement area was greater when the patients were under the effects
of the medication (P < 0.05). The center-of-pressure displacements were greater
along the anteroposterior axis than along the mediolateral axis. CONCLUSIONS:
Levodopa increases the sway area of the Parkinson disease patients evaluated by
static posturography.

Langue : ANGLAIS