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The Relationships Between the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Performance in Persons With Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, jooeunso{at}usc.edu

Beth E. Fisher, PhD, PT

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Giselle Petzinger, MD

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Allan Wu, MD

Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of Los Angeles, California

James Gordon, EdD, PT, FAPTA

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California

George J. Salem, PhD

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California

Background. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is the "gold standard" assessment tool for characterizing impairments in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, this scale’s ability to predict functional capabilities across different functional tasks has not been adequately assessed in persons with early-stage PD. Methods. Thirty persons with PD within 3 years of diagnosis and without motor fluctuation performed self-selected walking, fast walking, and sit-to-stand and stair-climbing tasks. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to calculate correlations with a standard UPDRS examination (P < .05). Simple linear regression models were used to fit each functional performance outcome measure with the UPDRS total predictor scores. Results. The correlations between the UPDRS motor (section III), UPDRS total scores, and all timed functional performance measures were fair to good (range, 0.45-0.57). Conversely, only greater self-selected time to walk 50 ft correlated with a higher UPDRS activities of daily living (II) score ( r = .386; P < .05). Conclusions. The UPDRS motor (III) and total scores may be good predictors of overall lower extremity function in persons with early-stage PD. Understanding the relationships between UPDRS scores and functional capabilities may allow clinicians to better quantify early physical functioning, longitudinally assess disease progression, and assess the efficacy of interventions.

Key Words: Parkinson’s disease • Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale • Outcome measures • Walking speed • Rehabilitation

This version was published on September 1, 2009

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 23, No. 7, 657-661 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1545968309332878


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