PD Falls – Physiotherapy and Balance Training — SCE Neurology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateMovement DisordersPD Falls – Physiotherapy and Balance TrainingSCE Neurology

A 70-year-old man with Parkinson's disease has recurrent falls. He falls backwards and sideways but never forwards. He does not freeze. He has postural instability on the pull test. His medications are optimised. What is the most effective intervention for reducing falls?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Structured physiotherapy and exercise programme focusing on balance training, strength, and falls prevention strategies

Physiotherapy and structured exercise programmes are the most effective interventions for reducing falls in PD. NICE NG71 recommends physiotherapy focusing on: balance training, strength exercises, gait re-education, cueing strategies, and falls prevention education. Multifactorial falls assessment (including postural hypotension, vision, polypharmacy review, home hazards) should also be performed. Postural instability responds poorly to levodopa (unlike tremor and bradykinesia). A: Postural instability is levodopa-non-responsive. C: Amantadine is for dyskinesia. D: Premature wheelchair use reduces activity and worsens deconditioning. E: DBS does not improve postural instability.

Reference: NICE NG71 Parkinson's Disease (2017); Ashburn et al. Falls Prevention in PD