Neurofeedback and physical balance in Parkinson's patients

Abstract

The primary goal of the present research is to study the effect of a neurofeedback training (NFT) period on balance problems associated with Parkinson's disease. Sixteen patients were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The research procedure included eight sessions. Prior to and after training, pre-tests and post-tests of static and dynamic balance were administered using "limit of stability" for the Biodex as well as the Berg scale. The results revealed that, after neurofeedback training, a statistically significant improvement in both static and dynamic balance in the experimental group was achieved. The means of the Biodex and Berg scores in the experimental group increased from 18.87 to 42.87 and 17.62 to 46.37, respectively. The means of the Biodex and Berg scores in the control group in the pretest were 18.25 and 17.75 and increased to 20.00 and 20.50, respectively. The results suggest that NFT can improve static and dynamic balance in PD patients.

Keywords: Dynamic balance; Neurofeedback; Parkinson's disease; Static balance.