Effect of Otago exercises on balance, fall risk and gait in patients with Idiopathic Parkinsons disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. These motor symptoms significantly impair balance, gait, and increase fall risk, particularly in the elderly population. The Otago Exercise Program (OEP), originally designed for fall prevention in older adults, incorporates progressive strength and balance training and has shown promising results in improving physical stability.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of OEP in improving balance, reducing fall risk, and enhancing gait parameters in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. A total of 36 patients aged 45–65 years will be recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Group A will receive Otago exercises along with conventional physiotherapy, while Group B will receive conventional physiotherapy alone.

The intervention will be delivered over 6 weeks, and outcomes will be measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Mini-BESTest Scale, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Ink Footprint Method. By targeting both dynamic and static balance components, this study intends to provide clinical evidence for the use of OEP in PD rehabilitation to improve functional independence and quality of life.