Checking a short set of physical ability tests

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with motor and non-motor impairments that affect physical function, mobility, balance, and quality of life. Although Galicia is one of the Spanish regions with a high prevalence of PD, comprehensive information regarding the functional characteristics of this population remains limited. This observational cross-sectional study aims to characterize the sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive, behavioral, and functional profile of individuals with Parkinson's disease in Galicia and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in this population. The findings will provide updated information on the functional status of people with PD in Galicia and support the use of the SPPB as a practical tool for the assessment of physical performance in clinical and research settings.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of motor and non-motor symptoms that negatively affect physical function, mobility, independence, and quality of life. Although advances in pharmacological and surgical treatments have improved symptom management, PD remains associated with progressive functional decline. Accurate assessment of physical performance is therefore essential for clinical decision-making, rehabilitation planning, and monitoring disease progression. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a widely used measure of lower-extremity physical performance that evaluates balance, gait speed, and chair-rise ability. The instrument has demonstrated strong psychometric properties in older adults and several chronic conditions; however, evidence regarding its measurement properties in individuals with Parkinson's disease remains limited. This multicenter observational study aims to characterize the functional profile of individuals with Parkinson's disease living in Galicia, Spain, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SPPB in this population. The study will examine the reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the instrument, as well as its relationship with established measures of disease severity, balance, mobility, dexterity, cognitive status, physical activity, and muscle strength. 6 7 Participants will undergo a comprehensive multidimensional assessment during the ON phase of their antiparkinsonian medication. In addition to conventional clinical and functional evaluations, selected mobility and physical performance tasks will be instrumented using wearable inertial sensor technology to obtain objective kinematic data. A subgroup of participants will complete a second SPPB assessment after a short interval to evaluate test-retest reliability. The results of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the suitability of the SPPB as a clinical and research tool for assessing physical performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, the study will offer valuable information about the functional characteristics of people living with PD in Galicia, supporting future rehabilitation strategies and outcome assessment in this population.