Functional outcomes of an integrated Parkinson's Disease Wellbeing Program.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

There is growing evidence that exercise provides benefit in treating motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES:

The aims of this study were to determine (a) whether a 5-week PD-specific program resulted in sustained physical and psychosocial benefits, and (b) the relationship between patient characteristics, exercise, falls and physical and psychosocial parameters.

DESIGN:

Single-centre prospective observational study.

METHODS:

A total of 135 consecutive patients with mild-to-moderate PD underwent a 5-week PD-specific education and exercise program from August 2013 to March 2015. Gait, mobility and psychosocial measures were compared at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 months.

RESULTS:

Significant improvements in physical (walking distance in 2 minutes, number of "Sit To Stands" in 30 seconds, time in seconds taken to "Timed Up and Go," fast gait velocity over 10 m, Berg Balance Scale [BBS]) and psychosocial (quality of life (QoL) [PDQ-39], depression and anxiety [DASS-21], and fatigue [PSF-16]) measures were seen at 6 weeks (all P < .01) with physical improvements sustained at 12 months (all P < .001). The number of patients at 12 months with ≥1 fall reduced from 66% to 33%, and the number not exercising reduced from 42% to 21%. A lack of exercise correlated with ≥1 fall at 12 months (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.36-8.39, P = .009). It was also associated with poorer balance and psychosocial parameters at 12 months (all P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients recruited into a 5-week Parkinson's disease education and exercise program achieved significant 12-month benefits in physical but not psychosocial measures. Patients with ≥1 fall post-treatment were less likely to have been exercising at 12-month follow-up.

• Authors: Jeremey T Horne, Derrick Soh, Dennis J Cordato, Megan L Campbell, Raymond S Schwartz
• Journal: Australasian journal on ageing (Australas J Ageing) Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. e94-e102 (Mar 2020) ISSN: 1741-6612 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 31347232 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)
• Copyright: © 2019 AJA Inc.

Topics

• Accidental Falls (statistics & numerical data)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Exercise
• Exercise Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (physiopathology, psychology)
• Patient Education as Topic
• Postural Balance
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life