CsDCS on Functional Mobility in Parkinsons Disease

For the TUG, the time taken by the patient to perform a task involving standing up from a chair, walking, and sitting back down is measured. The test begins with the patient seated in a chair with their back against the backrest. Upon request, the patient stands up, walks three meters at their fastest yet safe pace, turns around, returns to the chair, and sits down. Shorter times in completing this task indicate better functional mobility. Three repetitions of the test were recorded, and for analysis purposes, the average of the repetitions was used.

For the TSL5, the time taken by the patient to perform the task of sitting and standing from a chair five times consecutively is measured. The test begins with the patient seated in a chair with their back against the backrest. Upon request, the patient stands up and sits down five times at their fastest pace, but safely. Shorter times on this test indicate better functional mobility. The average of three attempts was used as the final result.

The abbreviated version of the Balance Evaluation System Test (miniBESTest) assesses static and dynamic balance through six different balance control mechanisms based on 14 specific activities of daily living. Each activity is rated from 0 (worst performance) to 2 (best performance) points. Thus, lower scores indicate poorer balance.

The motor function of the patients was assessed using the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The UPDRS is the most widely used clinical assessment tool for characterizing the motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease and for monitoring the progression of these symptoms and the physical disability caused by the disease. The UPDRS consists of 50 items, each rated from 0 to 4, ranging from the best (0) to the worst motor performance (4), and it is widely accepted for determining the efficacy of interventions in clinical studies. In the present study, Section II was used, which refers to the severity of the disease concerning the performance of activities of daily living. This section includes 13 items, each scored from 0 to 4, from the best to the greatest impairment. Section III of the UPDRS was also used, which corresponds to the motor examination and measures: resting tremor, postural tremor, rigidity, speech, facial expression, chair rise, posture, gait, postural stability

The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q) is a scale that assesses the individual's subjective perception of the severity and impact of freezing on their gait performance. The FOG-Q is classified on a 5-point scale (0 to 4), with a total score ranging from 0 to 24. A higher score indicates that the individual's gait performance is more affected by freezing.

In the 6MWT, the patient walks at their fastest, yet safe, pace along a 30-meter straight path for six minutes. At the end of the test, the total distance covered is calculated. Greater distances indicate better functional mobility.