Tests Predict Fall Risk With Parkinson’s

Three tests combined offer a good way to predict which people with Parkinson’s disease are most likely to fall, a study finds. The study included 101 people with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers gave them tests related to symptoms, balance and movement. In the next 6 months, nearly half of the people in the study fell. Half of those who fell did so more than once. Most of those who fell had three things in common. They tended to have more severe Parkinson’s symptoms. They said they often “froze” while walking. They also did not do well in balance tests. Researchers said these three tests combined would correctly predict a strong risk of falls about 80% of the time. The study was published online by the journal Neurology. HealthDay News wrote about it June 23.