OBJECTIVE

To evaluate swimming disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During the pilot study, we examined 40 patients with PD, who were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of swimming disorders. The assessment on the Hoehn—Yahr scale in both groups ranged from 1 to 3. The severity of PD was assessed according to the unified Parkinson’s disease scale of the International Society of Movement Disorders (MDS-UPDRS). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, the Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression, a new questionnaire of freezing when walking, a 6-minute walk test, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were administered.

RESULTS

Of 40 patients with PD, 60% reported swimming disorders. No association was found between swimming disorders and the severity of motor symptoms of PD. At the same time, an increased level of anxiety was noted in the group of patients with swimming disorders.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to study the mechanisms of the development of swimming disorders in PD.