RevSALUS - Revista Científica Da Rede Académica Das Ciências Da Saúde Da Lusofonia · Feb 16, 2026
BlazePod® balance training protocol in Parkinson’s Disease: case-report
By Julião M, Santos B, Sá C
INTRODUCTION: Parkinson’s disease (DP) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by deficits in postural control and balance, increasing the risk of falls. Emerging technologies, such as BlazePod®, offer potential to complement conventional approaches by integrating dynamic visual stimuli with dual tasks in balance training. OBJECTIVE: To describe a physical therapy intervention protocol that integrated balance training with BlazePod®. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case study of a 79-year-old male patient with DP for 11 years (Hoehn and Yahr stage 3). The protocol lasted four weeks, with three weekly sessions (two with BlazePod® and one of conventional physical therapy). Assessment and reassessment included balance (Mini-BESTest) and functional mobility (Time Up Go test (TUG)) under single- and dual-task conditions. RESULTS: The Mini-BESTest score improved from 19/28 to 21/28, exceeding the cutoff for fall risk. The main improvements occurred in backward reactive postural responses and the sensory orientation subscore. No changes were observed in the TUG test without a dual task or with a motor dual task, with only a slight negative change in the TUG test with a cognitive dual task. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the intervention protocol integrating balance training with BlazePod® makes it possible to reduce the patient’s risk of falling. The methodological limitations inherent in the case study preclude establishing cause-and-effect relationships. Randomized clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of the intervention and the long-term retention of gains.