Effects of Freezing of Gait on Static Balance in Parkinson’s Disease Patients With and Without a History of Falls

Our study aimed to examine differences in postural sway variables between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with freezing of gait (FOG) and those without freezing of gait (NFOG), with a particular focus on their fall history. Eighty-one patients with PD participated in this study, including 32 fallers and 49 nonfallers. In the faller group, 21 patients were classified into the FOG group, while 11 patients were categorized into the NFOG group. Each patient underwent a 30 s static postural balance assessment while standing on a custom-developed force plate. The center of pressure (COP) data was filtered and analyzed to derive key COP-based outcome measures. Independent t-tests were conducted to compare the FOG and NFOG groups within both faller and nonfaller subgroups. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the association between COP-based outcomes and Tinetti balance scores. In the nonfaller group, FOG patients exhibited significantly greater mean distance ([Formula: see text] 0.05), particularly in the mediolateral direction ([Formula: see text] 0.01), compared to NFOG patients. Anterior–posterior (AP) peak power was also significantly higher in the FOG group ([Formula: see text] 0.05), along with a larger sway area ([Formula: see text] 0.05). However, no significant differences were noted within the faller group ([Formula: see text] 0.05). Notably, in the nonfaller NFOG group, most COP-based variables were significantly correlated with Tinetti balance scores ([Formula: see text]0.463 – 0.535, [Formula: see text] 0.05), with stronger correlations observed in the mediolateral direction. No significant correlations were found in other groups ([Formula: see text] 0.05). These findings may help clinicians in better distinguish between patients with and without FOG, considering their fall history.