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Background: Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that has a prevalence of 18–328 per 100,000 in habitants in developing countries, with an estimated 3.3% of the Brazilian elderly population affected by PD throughout life. The classic symptoms include a resting tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability, which are all motor symptoms. The mobility of the subjects is compromised early, thus impairing their balance and limiting their ability to perform simple tasks. The restricted movement prevents dissociation between the head and trunk during walking, and freezing occurs as advanced disease reduces the progression of movements during walking. Objective: To analyze mobility and functionality profiles in subjects with Parkinson’s disease and compare them with healthy subjects. Method: A sample was consisted of 10 subjects with PD and 10 healthy elderly subjects. Assessment tools were used to quantify the severity of PD the scale Hoehn and Yah (HY), for mobility were used the Dynamic Parkinson’s Gait Scale (DYPAGS) and Modified Parkinson Activity Scale (PAS modified), for functionality were used the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and dual task (DT) performance. Results: The subjects with PD showed worse performance in mobility and DT as determined by the modified PAS (p=0.0001) and DYPAGS (p=0.0001). Correlations were found between the UPDRS, the Gait Freezing Questionnaire (FOG), the PAS modified score, left-hand grip strength and the HY values (p<0.05). There were no differences in prehensile muscle strength between PD and healthy subjects. Conclusions: Subjects with PD showed decreased mobility and functionality for activities related to ADLs, gait and DT compared to healthy elderly subjects. Disease severity, muscle strength and freezing were correlated with the mobility and DT performance in subjects with PD.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on static and dynamic balance after the use of textured insoles. Method: Fifteen subjects with multiple sclerosis were evaluated before using the insoles, after using them for 1 month, and after 2 months without using, them using the following measuring instruments: the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and 10-meter Walk Test, a means of functional gait assessment. Results: Improvement was observed in the Berg Balance Scale and Dynamic Gait Index scores, walking time, number of steps and step length after using the insoles for 1 month. The improvement in Berg Balance Scale score remained after two months without the insoles and there were no changes in gait speed. Conclusion: The use of textured insoles was effective as an intervention to improve static and dynamic balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) was initially described as a movement disorder, however there is now recognition that its clinical features also include non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment and dementia, which are frequent even in the early stages of the disease and, especially in the advanced stages. Cognitive deficits in PD include impairments in executive functions, attention, memory, and visuospatial skills. Cognitive impairment may manifest as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, in which MCI refers to the stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia. Factors associated with cognitive dysfunction in PD include advanced age, low schooling, worse motor scores, stiffness, postural instability and increased daytime sleepiness. Objective: To track cognitive decline and to correlate measurement instruments in subjects with PD by comparing them to healthy subjects. Methods: Study conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi / UFRN. The sample consisted of 20 old people (10 healthy elderlies and 10 elderlies with PD). It was applied the socio-demographic record, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS II and III), Hoehn & Yahr Scale, Mini Mental State Examination, Leganés Cognitive Test (LCT) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results: It was observed cognitive decline in both groups by MoCA (90% of the PD group and 80% of the healthy group), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.10). It was also verified association between UPDRS II and LCT (r= -0.69, p=0.03) and between UPDRS III and LCT (r=-0.66, p=0.04). Conclusion: We found a cognitive deficit in the elderly group with PD, with no significant difference when compared to the healthy elderly. There was an association between motor and cognitive function in subjects with PD. MoCA was more sensitive in the screening of cognitive deficit in subjects with PD.