A comparitive study on square stepping exercise versus balance training exercises on fear of fall and balance in parkinsonism patients

Abstract

To study the effect of square stepping exercise and balance exercise to improve balance impairment and reducing the fear of falling on Parkinsonism patient. This is a pre-test and post-test experimental design comparative in nature. Subject aged between 60 – 70 years having Parkinson’s disease were included for the study. Group A (15 subjects) participated in square stepping exercise for 5 times in a week for 4 weeks and Group B (15 subjects) participated in balance exercise for 5 times in a week for 4 weeks. The outcome was measured by using Berg balance scale, Time up and go (TUG) test and fall efficacy scale. Statistical analysis done by using pair ‘t’ test and unpair ‘t’ test showed that there is significant improvement in subject who underwent the square stepping exercise program compared to balance exercise on fear of fall and balance in parkinsonism patients. It is concluded that square stepping exercise group exhibited statistically significant improvement in Berg Balance Scale, Time up and Go test score and fall efficacy test score compared to the balance training exercise group.