Correlation of Visuo-Spatial Skills, Executive Function and Psychomotor Speed on Fall Risk and Overall Functional Mobility in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Background and Objectives: Spectrum of cognitive impairments, is frequently observed in early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Diminished functional mobility, often manifesting as falls, is commonly seen in conjunction with these impairments. This study aims to explore the correlation between visuospatial skills, executive function, and psychomotor speed with fall risk and overall functional mobility in patients with early Parkinson's disease. Study design: Cross sectional study with correlational analysis. Methods: 52 Parkinson’s patients in Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 and 2 were included and evaluated for Visuospatial skills and Psychomotor speed by using Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Executive functions by using Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Fall- risk and overall functional mobility by Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) with its subscales. Results: The data normality was established by Kolmogorov Smirnov test and Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient test was used to draw correlational analysis. Significant negative correlation was observed between Visuospatial skills, Psychomotor speed (DSST) with fall risk and overall functional mobility- TUG Normal (r=0.3284), Cognitive Dual task (r=-0.4270 and Motor Dual Task r=-0.4334) and a significant positive correlation between Executive function (TMT-A) with fall risk and functional mobility- TUG Normal (r=0.5846), Cognitive Dual task (r=0.4364) and Motor Dual Task (r=0.4039). Conclusions: Results indicate that Visuo spatial skills, Executive function and psychomotor speed have a substantial relationship with fall risk and overall functional mobility as demonstrated by significant correlation between all 3 variants of Timed up and go test.