ArticleNPJ Parkinson's disease2026
Physiotherapy interventions for balance impairments in Parkinson's disease: evidence from a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
Article in NPJ Parkinson's disease, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Exercise modulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling in Parkinson's disease: an evidence-calibrated review of neuroprotective mechanisms, biomarker limitations, and translational gaps.Frontiers in neurology · 2026Review
- Factors Associated With Improved Physical Performance in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease Using the Fisior® Sequential Square Mat Walking Training Program: A Secondary Gender-Stratified Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of central nervous system disease · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Balance impairments are among the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson and are often poorly responsive to pharmacological therapy. Physiotherapy (PT) is a key non-pharmacological intervention to improve postural control, though optimal exercise characteristics and dose remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to evaluate PT's effectiveness on balance in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) and define a dose-response relationship. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science was done from March-April 2024 and updated in February 2025. Eligibility criteria comprised RCTs or cross-over studies included adults with idiopathic PD receiving exercise targeting balance. Two reviewers independently assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Thirty studies (n participants = 2,932; mean ± SD age = 69.3 ± 4.0 years; mean ± SD disease duration = 6.7 ± 1.6 years; mean ± SD Hoehn & Yahr = 2.3 ± 0.5) were included. Balance outcomes were Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), and Sensory Organization Test (SOT). Physiotherapy led to moderate balance improvements (SMD = 0.56, 95%CI 0.38-0.74), with balance-specific training showing the greatest effect (SMD = 0.64, 95%CI 0.35-0.93). No clear linear dose-response was found between training volume and effect size. Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent benefits across Mini-BESTest, BBS, and TUG. These findings support personalized, balance-focused rehabilitation in PD and highlight the need for clearer intervention protocols.
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.