Critically Appraised Paper for “Effect of physical exercise-movement strategies programme on mobility, falls, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease”

Authors

April Perez, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow
Morganne Peterson, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow
Raechel Jacala, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow
Kitsum Li, Department of Occupational Therapy, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

A research team conducted a Level III prospective, longitudinal study to examine the effect of a standardized rehabilitation program, consisting of regular exercise and movement strategies, on fall risk, mobility, hospitalization, and quality of life for individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Over 2 years, 15 participants attended weekly rehabilitation sessions during Year 1 and biweekly sessions during Year 2. The rehabilitation program was designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and gait pattern. Using a pre- and posttest study design, the research team assessed participants at baseline and at Year 1 and Year 2 follow-up evaluations. Using the Tinetti fall risk assessment, the research team found significant fall risk reduction between baseline measures and Year 1 follow-up measures. The Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) indicated a significant improvement in the following areas: quality of life, mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), emotional well-being, social support, and communication. Year 1 follow-up analyses demonstrated an 80% decrease in hospital admission compared with baseline. On the contrary, Year 2 follow-up measures showed that the rehabilitation program had limited impact on the number of falls. In addition, at Year 2, the PDQ-39 only displayed improvements in mobility, gait-freezing ADLs, and communication. Last, the Year 2 follow-up only reported a 60% reduction in hospital admission, compared with 80% reduction in Year 1.

Comments

A product of the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-based Literature Review Project.

Copyright

Copyright © 2017 American Occupational Therapy Association. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced here with permission.

Publisher's Statement

Originally published as: Perez, A., Peterson, M., Jacala, R., & Li, K. (2017). Critically Appraised Paper for “Effect of physical exercise-movement strategies programme on mobility, falls, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease” International Journal Of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 19(2), 88-96. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Evidence-Based Practice Project.