Research Article

Early Postural Instability in Parkinson’s Disease: A Biomechanical Analysis of the Pull Test

Table 3

Multivariate analyses. Comparisons of force to reach the backward limit of stability, posturographic variables, and muscular latencies between the different groups.

HS vs. PDHS vs. PD H–Y I-IIPD H–Y I-II vs. PD H–Y III
R²β valueR²β valueR²β value

FBLoS0.447−0.2290.0220.395−0.2100.0480.437−0.3570.030

Posturographic variables
X avg0.0460.1590.0090.0320.1280.0350.251−0.0010.993
X right0.0270.0850.1670.0290.0560.3540.1980.3030.008
X left0.0250.0370.5450.030−0.0020.9770.0990.2990.013
X SD0.0270.0800.1920.0310.0480.4280.0910.2580.032
Y avg0.229−0.298<0.0010.207−0.282<0.0010.085−0.1420.234
Y ant0.0730.1220.0430.0750.1360.0210.2330.0150.889
Y post0.0840.227<0.0010.0790.225<0.0010.1220.1540.189
Y SD0.0750.1300.0300.0770.1380.0190.2580.0870.416
Vx right0.0210.0160.8010.032−0.0230.7080.2270.0580.531
Vx left0.0400.0170.7800.0390.0180.7640.2140.0450.685
Vy ant0.0180.0230.7120.022−0.0030.9570.2110.3780.001
Vy post0.1990.1880.0010.2230.1830.0010.4220.1410.138
V avg0.0560.1900.0020.0580.1800.0030.2390.1230.261
Rectangular area0.0320.1240.0440.0310.0960.1140.1590.3030.010
Circular area0.0430.1020.0950.0430.0840.1610.1740.2240.050
Area950.0410.1200.0490.0440.0920.1240.1130.2760.021
Major950.0700.1270.0350.0730.1350.0230.2530.0860.426
Minor950.0460.0940.1250.0570.0560.3500.1050.2880.017
Path length0.0550.1890.0020.0570.1800.0030.2390.1230.261

Muscular latencies
First pull
Tibialis anterior0.1190.2620.0730.1080.2630.0830.174−0.0930.643
Gastrocnemius lateralis0.0430.1560.3610.0480.1720.3310.153−0.0880.703
Vastus lateralis0.0300.0130.9840.0330.0500.8110.181−0.2030.434
Biceps femoris0.0350.1230.6560.0570.1400.6240.225−0.4740.143
Rectus abdominis0.6770.3790.2400.6900.3990.2020.6080.5030.345
Paravertebral muscles0.6070.4490.1800.5820.3940.3170.5900.6310.238

Subsequent pulls
Tibialis anterior0.2040.267<0.0010.2100.276<0.0010.364−0.0880.421
Gastrocnemius lateralis0.1700.2540.0010.1650.2540.0010.357−0.0230.835
Vastus lateralis0.0850.2280.0110.0960.2410.0070.266−0.1020.399
Biceps femoris0.0990.2520.0050.1070.2570.0040.259−0.0920.470
Rectus abdominis0.2680.1880.0420.2550.1840.0490.2510.1610.291
Paravertebral muscles0.0220.0810.4410.0240.0870.4090.075−0.0290.853

This table summarizes the regression models used in the study. The left column shows all the dependent variables, and the upper row shows the different groups used as independent variables in each model. Controlled for age and gender; controlled for force, age, and gender; R2: value of the complete regression model; β: β-coefficient; FBLoS: force to reach the backward limit of stability; HS: healthy subjects; PD: Parkinson’s disease patients; H–Y: Hoenh & Yahr. values correspond to listed variables and groups. Definition of posturographic variables is indicated in Table 1.