Effect of Brain Gym Exercise in Addition to Balance Exercises Versus Balance Exercises on Fear of Fall and Balance in Patients with Parkinsonism

Background: The clinical syndrome of Parkinsonism is typified by bradykinesia, rigidity, rest tremor, and postural instability. The main cause is idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD), but there are additional significant factors to take into account. Compared to the overall elderly population, where the annual fall rate is roughly 30%, its prevalence is noticeably higher. One major PD symptom that significantly increases the risk of falls is postural instability. Fall risk is greatly increased by the typical Parkinsonian gait, which consists of shuffling, less arm swing, and small steps. Parkinson’s patients fear falling because of a combination of their ingrained vulnerability awareness and motor symptoms. Engaging the motor and sensory cortices to mechanically activate both hemispheres of the brain, Brain Gym consists of a series of balanced, coordinated cross-lateral movements. Through vestibular system stimulation, it lowers the flight or fight response and improves equilibrium. Between other aspects of Parkinsonism, Brain Gym—which consists of 26 simple exercises—may help with balance control and fall fear. Aim And Objective: To assess the effect of brain gym exercise in addition to balance exercises versus balance exercises on fear of fall and balance in patients with parkinsonism. Method: A total of 50 subjects participated in the study. Subjects were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Baseline outcome measures which included MINIBESTest and Fall Efficacy Scale-International assessed. Subjects were randomly allotted into two groups. Intervention was given, Group A was the control group where conventional protocol was given for improving hand functions. Group B was the intervention group where upper quadrant muscles strengthening exercises were given along with the conventional protocol. The outcome measures were reassessed post intervention. Results: This study demonstrated that all outcome measures showed statistical and clinical significance in both groups (p<0.05). The fear of falling and balance were found to have improved more in Group A (the intervention group) than in Group B, both statistically and clinically. Conclusion: The study concluded that Brain gym in adjunct to balance exercise was more effective in improving fear of fall and balance clinically and statistically. KEY WORDS: Fear of fall, Brain Gym, Parkinsonism, Parkinson’s disease, Balance, MINIBESTest, Fall Efficacy Scale-International assessed.