The effects of a 10-week home-based exercise programme in individuals with parkinson’s disease during the covid-19 pandemic: A pilot study

• Main Authors: Fuengfa Khobkhun, Jinjuta Suwannarat, Anuchai Pheungphrarattanatrai, Kanjana Niemrungruang, Sakaowrat Techataweesub, Suweena Khacharoen, Amornpan Ajjimaporn, Prachaya Srivanitchapoom, Jim Richards
• Other Authors: Siriraj Hospital
• Format: Article
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Chemical Engineering; Computer Science; Engineering; Materials Science; Physics and Astronomy
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/76534
• Institution: Mahidol University

Current restrictions on clinical visits as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic has in-creased the need for home-based exercise regimes to facilitate useful, long term patterns of behaviour in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week home-based exercise program designed to target improvements in axial rigidity and gait. The Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), motor scale and rigidity items, Functional axial rotation–physical (FAR-p), functional reach test (FRT), and time up and go (TUG) test were recorded. In addition, the 10-metre walk test, the fall efficacy scale international (FES-I) and the global rating of change score (GROC) were also recorded. Eighteen individuals were divided randomly into two groups: a home-based exercise group (n = 10) and a traditional physiotherapy control group (n = 8). Participants in the 10-week home-based exercise group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in the MDS-UPDRS rigidity item, FAR-p, step length, gait velocity, FRT and FES-I when compared with the control group. This study supports the use of home-based exercises in individuals with PD. These preliminary results also support the hypothesis that targeting axial deficits may be an effective approach for improving gait and reducing falls.