• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the criterion-related validity of the Berg balance test between fallers and non-fallers in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Methods : Thirty-one patients were recruited for this study. Their initial diagnosis had been made on average $30.1{\pm}10.1$ years earlier. Score of Berg balance test showed significant correlations with indicators of motor functioning and daily living capacity. Berg balance test score was inversely associated with the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale-motor score, and Schwab and England activities of daily living rating scale. Results : In all 3 correlations, lower scores on the Berg balance test correlated with higher unified Parkinson's disease rating scale-motor scores. Results support the criterion-related validity of the Berg balance test. Conclusion : Our research results agree with other published research in suggesting that the Berg balance test may be used as a screening tool and ongoing assessment tool for patients with Parkinson's disease.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-293
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• 2015

Purpose: Depression is a common sign of suffering among the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Frequent and severe neuropsychiatric symptoms lead to high levels of distress in patients and their caregivers, which results in the high levels of caregiver burden. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of caregiver burden in caregivers of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The study included 183 consecutive PD patients and their caregivers. Patients were assessed using the Hoehn and Yahr scale, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Caregivers' depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Caregiver Burden Inventor (CBI), BDI, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale. Results: All of the patients reported one or more neuropsychiatric symptoms. Patients' and caregivers' depressive symptoms, caregivers' age and education, time for caregiving, and quality of life were significantly associated with the increased caregiver burden. After controlling the level of education as a potential confounding variable, depression in both patients and caregivers, time for caregiving, and quality of life explained 45.6% of the variance in caregiver burden. Conclusion: Substantial attention needs to be given to the early identification of depression in PD patients and their caregivers to improve caregivers' quality of life and burden.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2003

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate 1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms, 2) the severity of depressive symptoms, 3) the correlation of depressive symptoms with clinical variables, and 4) factors that contribute to depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients with Parkinson's disease referred from the Parkinson's Disease Clinic of Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea, completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which included basic demographic data, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In addition, a structured interview and a complete neurological examination, including the Hoehn and Yahr stage, the motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(some selected scales of UPDRS part III), the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale(ADL), and the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination were performed. Results: 1) Based on BDI score, subjects were divided into four groups:severely(40.7%), moderately(13.6%) and mildly(12.7%) depressive and non-depressive(33.1%). 2) The severity of depressive symptom in Parkinson's disease was positively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr(H & Y) stage(r=0.34, p<0.0001), the severity of motor symptom(r=0.35, p<0.0001), and trait anxiety inventory(r=0.33, p<0.001). On the other hand, the severity of depressive symptom was negatively correlated with educational level(r=-0.34, p<0.001), ADL(r=-0.37, p<0.0001) and Parkinson's disease quality of life (PDQL)(r=-0.69, p<0.0001). Among several clinical variables, the PDQL was the most influential factor predicting whether the depressive symptom was present or not. Conclusion: This study suggests that depressive symptom is very prevalent among patients with Parkinson's disease. Data from this study indicate that medical staffs who take care of patients with Parkinson's disease should pay attention to finding and treating depressive symptom among their patients. With appropriate psychiatric intervention, patient's depressive symptom can be minimized or alleviated and thus, the quality of life in these patients is likely enhanced.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2008

Objective : In the evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), most neurologists only see their patients during a limited period of their fluctuating 24-hour-a-day lives. This study aimed to assess the short-term outcome of STN stimulation for patients with advanced PD evaluated in a 24-hour monitoring unit for movement disorder (MUMD) using a prospective protocol. Methods : Forty-two patients with advanced PD consecutively treated with bilateral STN stimulation using multi-channel microelectrode recording were included in this study. All patients were evaluated using a 24-hour MUMD with a video recording/editing system and were evaluated with a prospective protocol of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr Staging, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living, levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), Short Form-36 Health Survey, and neuropsychological tests. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain were performed prior to and six months after surgery. Results : All patients were evaluated at three and six months after surgery. There was a rapid and significant improvement of the motor symptoms, especially in tremor and rigidity, after STN stimulation with low morbidity. Dyskinesia was markedly decreased with much lowered LEDD values by 50% after STN stimulation. 1.5T MR images were safely taken according to the manufacturer's guidelines at six months after surgery without any adverse effects in 41 patients treated with STN stimulations. Conclusion : Evaluations in a 24-hour monitoring unit could reduce the dose of medication efficiently to an optimal level with patients' comfort and improve the clinical symptoms in harmony with STN stimulation.