Falling risk factors in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE To identify falling risk factors that are potentially modifiable among individuals who have idiopathic Parkinson's disease. DESIGN A between group comparison of 19 fallers and 21 nonfallers who have Parkinson's disease, across an array of variables that have been identified as falling risk factors among the elderly and among those who have Parkinson's disease. RESULTS Several variables were demonstrated significantly to distinguish fallers: disease duration and severity; dyskinesias associated with the use of dopaminergic agents; freezing; postural instability; depression; fear of falling; impaired fine motor control and motor planning in the feet; decreased proximal strength and muscular endurance in the legs; and a higher level of disability. CONCLUSIONS Several of these variables can be viewed a potentially modifiable during a future intervention trial that aims to reduce falls in those who have Parkinson's disease using multidimensional risk factor modification.