Clinical Research Directory

The Validity and Reliability of an Improved Paper Grasping Test for Parkinson's Disease

The study will include volunteer patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who applied to the Neurology Outpatient Clinic at SANKO University Sani Konukoğlu Application and Research Hospital. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be evaluated by Dr. Hakan Polat and Physiotherapist Fatma Yılmaz in the application laboratory of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, SANKO University. The assessment form prepared by the researchers will be completed face-to-face with the patients. First, demographic information and disease-related data (duration since Parkinson's diagnosis, disease stage, affected side, etc.) will be recorded. The Mini-BESTest will be used to evaluate balance and gait. The muscle strength of the ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles will be assessed using a manual muscle testing device, and quality of life will be measured with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Since fall problems in patients may be related to balance impairments, lower limb muscle weakness, and reduced quality of life, these parameters will also be evaluated. Therefore, in this study, while examining the validity and reliability of the modified paper grip test in individuals with Parkinson's disease, its correlation with these parameters will also be investigated. Before administering the tests, participants will receive a practical explanation of how the tests are performed and will be allowed to rest prior to assessment. The tests will be administered in the following order: first, the paper grip test by Dr. Hakan Polat, followed by the Mini-BESTest, assessment of ankle plantar and dorsiflexor muscle strength, and evaluation of quality of life. One week after the initial assessment, only the paper grip test will be re-administered by Physiotherapist Fatma Yılmaz in the same environment. This approach will minimize the effect of environmental factors on the patients' performance.