Author: Livia P Carvalho1, Simon Décary1, Isabelle Beaulieu-Boire2, Rosalie Dostie1, Isabelle Lalonde1, Émilie Texier1, Laurence Laprise1, Elizabeth Pepin1, Mélodie Gilbert1, Hélène Corriveau1, Michel Tousignant1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke and Research Centre on Aging, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.
<sup>2</sup> Centre Intégré Universitaire en Santé et Services Sociaux de l'Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CIUSSS-de-l'Estrie-CHUS), Sherbrooke, QC J1J 3H5, Canada.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Date published: 2021 Jun 30
Other:
Volume ID: 18 , Issue ID: 13 , Pages: 6990 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph18136990. , Word Count: 226
Many people living with Parkinson's Disease (PD) face issues with healthcare services, including delays in diagnosis and treatment, as well as limited access to specialized care, including rehabilitation programs. Non-motor and motor signs and symptoms typically observed in people with PD, such as tremor, rigidity, postural instability, bradykinesia, and freezing are particularly disabling and have been associated with falls, fractures, hospitalizations, and a worse quality of life. Baduanjin Qigong (BDJ) programs have been proven potentially effective in improving physical outcomes and reducing the incidence of falls in PD. The aim of this case report, proof-of-concept, study was to explore the adherence, feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a BDJ program offered via telerehabilitation in people with PD living in the community. Two participants performed semi-supervised exercise sessions at home, twice a week (over eight weeks) using the TeraPlus platform. Adherence, adverse events, and feasibility (technical implementability), acceptability (patient satisfaction), patient-reported, self-reported, and performance outcomes were measured. Results were based on single-subject descriptive data, minimal detectable change, and anchor-based minimally important difference. Our findings suggest that the intervention seems feasible with no major technical issues or adverse events, and high adherence; acceptable (patient satisfaction); and potentially effective to improve markers of walking performance (gait speed, balance), and quality of life (activities of daily living, mobility).
Keywords: exercise; parkinsonism; physical therapy; rehabilitation; telemedicine.
PMID: 34208823 PMCID: PMC8296954 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136990