“Staying safe” – a narrative review of falls prevention in people with Parkinson’s – “PDSAFE”

AbstractBackground: Parkinson’s disease demonstrates a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Falling is common and disabling. Current medical management shows minimal impact to reduce falls or fall-related risk factors, such as deficits in gait, strength, and postural instability. Despite evidence supporting rehabilitation in reducing fall risk factors, the most appropriate intervention to reduce overall fall rate remains inconclusive. This article aims to 1) synthesise current evidence and conceptual models of falls rehabilitation in Parkinson’s in a narrative review; and based on this evidence, 2) introduce the treatment protocol used in the falls prevention and multi-centre clinical trial “PDSAFE”.Method: Search of four bibliographic databases using the terms “Parkinson*” and “Fall*” combined with each of the following; “Rehab*, Balanc*, Strength*, Strateg*and Exercis*” and a framework for narrative review was followed. A total of 3557 papers were identified, 416 were selected for review. The major...