Which statement best describes postural changes in Parkinson's disease?

Which statement best describes postural changes in Parkinson's disease?

• A. The patient becomes more flexed, poorly balanced, stiff and less sway
• B. The patient remains upright with normal balance
• C. There is increased trunk rotation and wide sway
• D. Posture improves with activity and posture fails to deteriorate

Answer: (A)

Postural changes in Parkinson’s disease come from axial rigidity and bradykinesia, which produce a stooped, forward-flexed trunk with a forward head, reduced arm swing, and impaired automatic postural responses. This creates a posture that is more flexed, poorly balanced, and stiff, often with diminished sway due to rigidity and slowed postural adjustments. While the rigidity may make the person seem less mobile, the impaired balance and reflexes actually raise the risk of falls. The other statements don’t fit: maintaining an upright posture with normal balance isn’t typical in PD; increased trunk rotation and wide sway aren’t characteristic of the typical Parkinsonian posture; and posture generally does not dramatically improve or remain perfectly stable over time despite activity.

Postural changes in Parkinson’s disease come from axial rigidity and bradykinesia, which produce a stooped, forward-flexed trunk with a forward head, reduced arm swing, and impaired automatic postural responses. This creates a posture that is more flexed, poorly balanced, and stiff, often with diminished sway due to rigidity and slowed postural adjustments. While the rigidity may make the person seem less mobile, the impaired balance and reflexes actually raise the risk of falls. The other statements don’t fit: maintaining an upright posture with normal balance isn’t typical in PD; increased trunk rotation and wide sway aren’t characteristic of the typical Parkinsonian posture; and posture generally does not dramatically improve or remain perfectly stable over time despite activity.