Feasibility of virtual therapy in rehabilitation of Parkinson's disease patients: pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Among Parkinson's disease (PD) motor disabilities, postural and balance alterations are important parameters to physical therapists who need to choose specific, targeted therapies for their patients. Among many therapy options, virtual therapy is studied as to whether it can be a viable rehabilitation method. OBJECTIVE: To verify the applicability of virtual rehabilitation in PD patients for the improvement of their balance and quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six volunteers, diagnosed to be in Stages II and III of PD (Hoehn and Yahr Scale), were recruited for this study. Patients (65 ± 13 years old) participated in activities involving Wii Fit, for a total of twelve interventions, twice per week. Clinical and qualitative methods were used for the data collection for the initial and final evaluations: Borg's Scale, Berg Functional Balance Scale, Time Up and Go, anterior and lateral functional reach and Nottingham's Scale were performed during the study. Penguin Slide, Ski Slalom, Soccer Heading and Table Tilt were the Wii games selected as a form of virtual therapy. RESULTS: The collected data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Motor skill, functional capacities and quality of life were analyzed as variables of the patients' balance. Statistically significant differences were found in the following tests: Borg's Scale (p = 0.0464), Berg Functional Balance Scale (p = 0.0277), lateral functional reach to the right (p = 0.0431*) and lateral functional reach to the left (p = 0.0277). CONCLUSION: It is believed that exercises with virtual reality therapy can be a useful tool to improve the balance in PD patients.

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Unmasking Parkinson’s Disease: The Relationship of Grit, Exercise, and Quality of Life

Journal of Patient Experience ◽

10.1177/2374373520937171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 1732-1739

Author(s):

Susan G Klappa ◽

Julie A I Thompson ◽

Stuart Blatt

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Support Groups ◽

Physical Therapists ◽

The United States ◽

Community Based ◽

Coping Responses ◽

Home Based

The purpose of this study was to investigate grit, exercise, and quality of life (QOL) among individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). A sample of convenience was used. A survey which included the grit scale, QOL scale, and open-ended questions was distributed to participants (n = 101, 51 male and 50 female) who are members of online PD support groups across the United States. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25. Grit values averaged 3.65 ± 0.51 for participants (n = 101). When divided into groups, mean grit score for community-based exercisers was 3.78 ± 0.42 and 3.10 ± 0.48 for home-based exercisers. Grit was positively correlated to higher QOL on the Parkinson’s disease quality of life (PDQL; r = +0.293, P = .004). Grit was positively correlated to the emotional component of the PDQL ( r = +0.462, P < .001). Participants with higher grit levels had higher emotional coping responses after being diagnosed with PD, exercised more, and were more willing to self-advocate. With limited rehabilitation visits allowed, physical therapists should be aware of community-based programs to redefine participation roles after diagnosis.

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Effects of resistance training on postural control in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0285 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Janini CHEN ◽

Hsin Fen CHIEN ◽

Debora Cristina Valente FRANCATO ◽

Alessandra Ferreira BARBOSA ◽

Carolina de Oliveira SOUZA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Postural Control ◽

Motor Performance ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Functional Balance ◽

Perceived Quality Of Life

ABSTRACT Background: Postural instability affects Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients’ postural control right from the early stages of the disease. The benefits of resistance training (RT) for balance and functional capacity have been described in the literature, but few studies have been conducted showing its effects on PD patients’ postural control. Objective: To investigate the effects of a three-month RT intervention on static posturography (SP) measurements and clinical functional balance assessment among PD patients. Methods: Seventy-four patients were randomly assigned to a three-month RT intervention consisting of using weightlifting machines at a gym (gym group) or RT consisting of using free weights and elastic bands (freew group), or to a control group. The participants were evaluated at baseline, three months and six months. We evaluated changes of SP measurements under eyes-open, eyes-closed and dual-task conditions (primary endpoint), along with motor performance and balance effects by means of clinical scales, dynamic posturography and perceptions of quality of life (secondary endpoints). Results: There were no significant interactions in SP measurements among the groups. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) motor scores decreased in both RT groups (p<0.05). Better perceived quality of life for the mobility domain was reported in the gym group while functional balance scores improved in the freew group, which were maintained at the six-month follow-up (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study was not able to detect changes in SP measurements following a three-month RT intervention. Both RT groups of PD patients showed improved motor performance, with positive balance effects in the freew group and better perceived quality of life in the gym group.

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Effectiveness of exergaming in improving functional balance, fatigue and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.02.006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 13-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Camila Gemin Ribas ◽

Letícia Alves da Silva ◽

Marina Ribas Corrêa ◽

Hélio Ghizone Teive ◽

Silvia Valderramas

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Functional Balance ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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Effect of Various Physical Therapy Programs on the Quality of Life, Balance, Kinematics of Speed and Accuracy Movements of the Hand in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences ◽

10.33607/bjshs.v1i92.109 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (92) ◽

Author(s):

Dalia Mickevičienė ◽

Indrė Skirmantaitė ◽

Neringa Švedaitė ◽

Aiva Karpavičienė ◽

Lina Danilevičienė

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Life Balance ◽

Balance Scale ◽

Physical Therapy Programs ◽

Speed And Accuracy

Research background and hypothesis. Parkinson’s disease is a relevant health problem in the way that the disease limits human movement to a great extent as well as degrades the quality of life and overall communication capabilities. We believe that by accelerating the pace of individual workouts on the treadmill in the gym, better results will be achieved than using individual physical therapy at home.Research aim was to determine the effectiveness of various physical therapy programs on the quality of life, balance and kinematics of speed and accuracy movements of the hand in patients with Parkinson’s disease.Research methods. First group (n = 12) had individual physical therapy in the weightlifting gym. The second group (n = 12) had individual physical therapy at home. For the assessment of the quality of life, we selected the questionnaire PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s Disease Questionaire-39), and the subjects filled it in independently. For the assessment of static and dynamic balance, Berg Balance Scale and balance confidence scale were applied. Walking speed was assessed by using the “Up and go” test. The original device developed by Lithuanian Sports University researchers and Ltd. Katra specialists - the dynamic parameter analyser of human arm and leg movements DPA-1 – was used to evaluate the characteristics of the kinematics of the dominant arm movement.Research results. It was found that after 16 physiotherapy procedures, the quality of life statistically significantly improved in all eight areas (p < 0.05) in both groups under investigation. Mean Berg Balance Scale values after 16 physiotherapy procedures statistically significantly increased (p < 0.05) in Group I and Group II. A statistically significant improvement in balance (p < 0.05) was found in both groups. There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the test performance average time values of “Up and go” test in both groups. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) was established in the mean values of the six-minute walk distance. Kinematics of speed and accuracy movements statistically significantly increased (p < 0.05) in both groups.Discussion and conclusions. Both physical therapy programmes were effective in improving the quality of life, balance and kinematics of speed and accuracy movements of the hand in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Individual physical therapy programme at home was less effective, while acceleration of the pace of individual workouts on the treadmill in the gym had a greater impact.Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, quality of life, motor control, physical therapy, reaction time, complexity of task.

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Critical issues of the biopsychosocial treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2015.30109 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 156 (12) ◽

pp. 472-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Péter Kincses ◽

Norbert Kovács ◽

Kázmér Karádi ◽

János Kállai

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Interdisciplinary Approach ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

Her Family ◽

Critical Issues

This paper is a summary report on the basic questions of the biopsychosocial approach to Parkinson’s disease. It deals with cognitive, affective and psychological health issues which significantly influence the outcome of the physical rehabilitation. In spite of the unchanged cognitive status, the psychological burden of the changes in the quality of life, the obstruction, the change in the affective tone, and the shrinking ability to fulfil social roles decrease the patient’s quality of life. An interdisciplinary approach is best suited for mitigating these effects. Not only the patient but also his/her family and environment is seriously affected by the disease and its consequences. Treatment and rehabilitation options for increasing or maintaining the quality of life of the affected patients are diverse, and significantly depend on the features of the health care system. The authors believe that the following review emphasizing health psychological principles may contribute to the work of professionals working in clinical and rehabilitational fields and through them may increase the quality of life of patients and their family. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(12), 472–478.

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Effects of Dry Needling on Function, Muscle Tone and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04101214 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Muscle Tone ◽

Dry Needling

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The Parkinson’s Real-World Impact Assessment (PRISM) Study: A European Survey of the Burden of Parkinson’s Disease in Patients and their Carers

Journal of Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.3233/jpd-212611 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Eduardo Tolosa ◽

Georg Ebersbach ◽

Joaquim J. Ferreira ◽

Olivier Rascol ◽

Angelo Antonini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Impact Assessment ◽

Real World ◽

European Countries ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Non Motor Symptoms

Background: A greater understanding of the everyday experiences of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their carers may help improve clinical practice. Objective: The Parkinson’s Real-world Impact assesSMent (PRISM) study evaluated medication use, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of healthcare resources by people with PD and their carers. Methods: PRISM is an observational cross-sectional study, in which people with PD and their carers completed an online survey using structured questionnaires, including the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQuest) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: Data were collected from 861 people with PD (mean age, 65.0 years; mean disease duration, 7.7 years) and 256 carers from six European countries. People with PD reported a large number of different co-morbidities, non-motor symptoms (mean NMSQuest score, 12.8), and impaired HRQoL (median PDQ-39 summary score, 29.1). Forty-five percent of people with PD reported at least one impulse control behaviour. Treatment patterns varied considerably between different European countries. Levodopa was taken in the last 12 months by 85.9% of participants, and as monotherapy by 21.8% . Carers, who were mostly female (64.8%) and the partner/spouse of the person with PD (82.1%), reported mild to moderate burden (mean ZBI total score, 26.6). Conclusions: The PRISM study sheds light on the lives of people with PD and those who care for them, re-emphasising the many challenges they face in everyday life. The study also provides insights into the current treatment of PD in Europe.

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Effects of music-based movement therapy on motor function, balance, gait, mental health, and quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215521990526 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921552199052

Author(s):

Zonglei Zhou ◽

Ruzhen Zhou ◽

Wen Wei ◽

Rongsheng Luan ◽

Kunpeng Li

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Motor Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Freezing Of Gait ◽

Movement Therapy ◽

Walking Velocity

Objective: To conduct a systematic review evaluating the effects of music-based movement therapy on motor function, balance, gait, mental health, and quality of life among individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Data sources: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database was carried out to identify eligible papers published up to December 10, 2020. Review methods: Literature selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment were independently performed by two investigators. Publication bias was determined by funnel plot and Egger’s regression test. “Trim and fill” analysis was performed to adjust any potential publication bias. Results: Seventeen studies involving 598 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Music-based movement therapy significantly improved motor function (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor subscale, MD = −5.44, P = 0.002; Timed Up and Go Test, MD = −1.02, P = 0.001), balance (Berg Balance Scale, MD = 2.02, P < 0.001; Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, MD = 2.95, P = 0.001), freezing of gait (MD = −2.35, P = 0.039), walking velocity (MD = 0.18, P < 0.001), and mental health (SMD = −0.38, P = 0.003). However, no significant effects were observed on gait cadence, stride length, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that music-based movement therapy is an effective treatment approach for improving motor function, balance, freezing of gait, walking velocity, and mental health for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

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Impact of Depression and Anxiety on Dimensions of Health-Related Quality of Life in Subjects with Parkinson’s Disease Enrolled in an Association of Patients

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11060771 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 771

Author(s):

Fany Chuquilín-Arista ◽

Tania Álvarez-Avellón ◽

Manuel Menéndez-González

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms. Depression and anxiety are common manifestations in PD and may be determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study is to determine the association of depression and anxiety with the dimensions of HRQoL in subjects with PD enrolled in an association of patients. Ninety-five community-based patients with PD diagnosis at different disease stages were studied. HRQoL was assessed using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39); depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Our results showed that depression and anxiety were negatively associated with HRQoL measured by PDSI. Higher motor dysfunction measured by Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging was also associated with worse HRQoL. Depression was the most influential variable in the model. All PDQ-39 dimensions except social support and bodily discomfort were associated with depression. Anxiety was associated with the emotional well-being and bodily discomfort dimensions. These results suggest that physicians should pay attention to the presence of psychiatric symptoms and treat them appropriately.

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