Perception of whole-body motion during balance perturbations is impaired in Parkinson's disease and is associated with balance impairment.

This was a cross-sectional comparison, so it shows association, not that impaired perception causes balance problems or falls. The analysed sample was small, and the size was chosen to meet pilot-study guidelines of N=12. 14 additional participants attempted testing but did not complete, and 26% of subjects could not tolerate the testing, so older or frailer people may be underrepresented. People with Parkinson's were tested in the OFF medication state, so results may not apply to times when medication is working. Balance was assessed only once with the MiniBESTest, and the study did not examine the body-motion variables recorded during the perceptual judgements. Normal proprioception was not confirmed during testing, so undetected neuropathy or another comorbidity could have contributed. No significant association with fall history was found in the subset with fall data (N=20), so the fall link remains uncertain. The small sample prevented investigation of whether rigidity, postural instability, or other parkinsonian signs were related to perception.

No author conflicts of interest or funding role are stated in the supplied text. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research and non-U.S. government research support.

Do not conclude that treating impaired whole-body motion perception will improve balance or prevent falls. The study found an association in people with Parkinson's, but it did not test an intervention, and the cross-sectional design cannot show cause.