Study of Swiss-Ball Exercises Effectiveness on Improvement of Balance and Depression of Patients with Parkinson Disease

Background:Parkinson's disease is a progressive and degenerative disease of the basal ganglia of the brain. Four major signs of this disease are: bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity and postural instability. Postural instability is the main cause of falling in these patients.Despite the importance of the role of the exercise therapy in reducing the secondary signs of akinesia in these patients, there is not enough evidence to express the effects of these exercises. The current study carried out to reveal that.Materials and Methods:In a Single -blinded, prospective and Quasi -experimental study   23 patients with Parkinson   were chosen (age=67/43 ± 7/75, height=169/74±8/44, weight=65/61±7/85) and were arranged to do exercise therapy with Swissball with the full supervision of the physical therapist for 12 sessions (one hour in each every session three sessions per week).An evaluation was done before and after treatment and a follow up month later. To evaluate the balance of these patients Berg Balance Scale was used and beck depression questionnaire to assess the depression of these patients. The results were analysed by Spss software and paired t-test.Results:A meaningful difference in balance evaluation was achieved between before the treatment and after the treatment (P=0.00). A meaningful difference in balance evaluation was achieved between before the treatment and after one -month follow- up (P=0.00). There was No meaningful difference between after the treatment and after one-month follow-up (P=0.141).There was a meaningful difference in depression evaluation between before the treatment and after the treatment (P=0.00). There was a meaningful difference in depression evaluation between before the treatment and after one -month follow- up (P=0.00).There was No meaningful difference in depression evaluation between after the treatment and after one-month follow-up. (P=0.56)Conclusion:With regard to the results of this study it might be concluded that Swissball exercises improve the balance and depression of patients with Parkinson in short term (one month).It must be notified that of Exercises does not continue depression and balance problems due to progressive nature of the disease.Key words: Parkinson's disease, exercise therapy, balance, depression