174 Benefits of a Self-Management Program for the Older Couple Living with Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Abstract Background Although community-based self-management workshops have been found to benefit older adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is unclear if there could be added value for the couple if the spouse also participated. Methods A quasi-experimental two-wave design (0 and seven week follow-up) was used to explore the effects of a self-management program on the health and relational outcomes of older adults with PD and their spouses in comparison to a wait-list control condition. Thirty nine couples were enrolled and completed the study (19 in the intervention group and 20 in the wait-list control). Results Adjusting for baseline outcome values, spouses in the intervention group had significantly greater engagement in mental relaxation techniques (p < .001; d = 1.28) than those in the control condition at seven weeks. Additionally, moderate effect sizes were observed for increases in the mental relaxation (d = 0.44) and aerobic activity (d = 0.44) of older adults with PD and the strength-based activities of spouses (d = 0.33) in the intervention group. Small to moderate effects were observed for declines in the depressive symptoms of spouses (d = 0.29) and older adults with PD (d = 0.14) and care strain of spouses (d = 0.15) in the intervention group. Finally, perceptions of marital quality improved for older adults with PD (d = 0.46) and spouses (d = 0.41) and reports of protective buffering (i.e. hiding concerns) declined for older adults with PD (d = 0.24) and spouses (d = 0.33) in the intervention group compared to the wait-list control condition. Conclusion Preliminary data showed promise for self-management programs benefiting couples living with Parkinson’s disease. Although larger samples and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the full benefit of such programs, greater attention to interventions for the older couple is warranted.

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Benefits of a Self-Management Program for the Couple Living With Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464820918136 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 073346482091813 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karen S. Lyons ◽

Alex Zajack ◽

Melissa Greer ◽

Holly Chaimov ◽

Nathan F. Dieckmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Management Program ◽

Self Management ◽

Relaxation Techniques ◽

Community Based ◽

Aerobic Activity ◽

Mental Relaxation

The goal of this pilot study was to explore health benefits for couples participating together in an existing community-based self-management workshop for Parkinson’s disease (PD). A quasi-experimental two-wave design explored the effects of the Strive to Thrive program in comparison to a wait-list control condition. Preliminary data ( n = 39 couples) showed that spouses in the intervention group had greater engagement in mental relaxation techniques at 7 weeks than those in the control condition (large effect size). Small effects were observed for increases in aerobic activity and mental relaxation for the adult with PD, increases in strength-based activities and self-efficacy for spouses, declines in depressive symptoms for spouses, and decreases in protective buffering for both adults with PD and spouses. The program showed potential for existing community-based programs to benefit couples living with chronic illness.

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A Controlled Investigation of a Cognitive Behavioural Pain Management Program for Older Adults

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465809005177 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 221-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Sheryl M. Green ◽

Thomas Hadjistavropoulos ◽

Heather Hadjistavropoulos ◽

Ronald Martin ◽

Donald Sharpe

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pain Management ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Coping Strategy ◽

Management Program ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Pain Management Program ◽

Cognitive Behavioural

Background: Although psychosocial treatments for pain have been found to be effective in reducing self-reported pain, physician visits, and in improving mood, the research has largely focused on younger persons. As such, there is a paucity of related studies involving older adults. Method: We implemented and evaluated a 10-session psychosocial (i.e. cognitive behavioural orientation) pain management program that was specifically designed for older adults. The intervention was delivered either in the participants' homes or in bookable rooms in seniors' residence buildings. Ninety-five community dwelling seniors with at least one chronic pain condition were assigned to either a treatment or a wait-list control condition. An assessment battery was administered to treatment participants immediately before the program started, immediately post-treatment, and 3-months post-treatment. Comparable data were obtained from control group participants, although 3-month follow-up data were not available for the control group. Outcome variables included pain intensity, coping strategy usage, pain beliefs/appraisals, and perceived life stressors. Results: Although decreases in pain intensity were observed in both the treatment and wait-list control groups, the intervention was found to result in fewer maladaptive beliefs about pain and greater use of relaxation, which is considered to be an adaptive coping strategy. Conclusions: Although some treatment benefits were identified (e.g. change in pain-related beliefs), future research should test the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural treatment program tailored for seniors with participants who are experiencing higher pain intensities than those reported by our sample (i.e. those who experience a higher level of pain at baseline may represent a more suitable sample for assessing the effectiveness of our intervention in reducing pain intensity).

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PD Check‐In: The development and trial of a supported self‐management program for people with Parkinson's disease following intensive speech intervention

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders ◽

10.1111/1460-6984.12682 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ann Finnimore ◽

Deborah Theodoros ◽

Anna F. Rumbach

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Management Program ◽

Self Management ◽

Speech Intervention

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Home-based exercise monitored with telehealth is feasible and acceptable compared to centre-based exercise in Parkinson’s disease: A randomised pilot study

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520976265 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 026921552097626

Author(s):

Allyson Flynn ◽

Elisabeth Preston ◽

Sarah Dennis ◽

Colleen G Canning ◽

Natalie E Allen

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Freezing Of Gait ◽

Management Program ◽

Self Management ◽

Randomised Control Trial ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Mixed Response ◽

Home Based ◽

At Home

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based exercise program monitored using telehealth for people with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Pilot randomised control trial. Setting: University physiotherapy clinic, participants’ homes. Participants: Forty people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, mean age 72 (6.9). Intervention: In Block 1 (5 weeks) all participants completed predominantly centre-based exercise plus a self-management program. Participants were then randomised to continue the centre-based exercise ( n = 20) or to a home-based program with telehealth ( n = 20) for Block 2 (5 weeks). The exercises targeted balance and gait. Outcomes: The primary outcomes were the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes were balance, gait speed and freezing of gait. Results: Adherence was high in Block 1 (93%), and Block 2 (centre-based group = 93%, home-based group = 84%). In Block 2, the physiotherapist spent 6.4 hours providing telehealth to the home-based group (mean 10 (4) minutes per participant) and 32.5 hours delivering the centre-based exercise classes (98 minutes per participant). Participants reported that exercise was helpful, they could follow the home program and they would recommend exercising at home or in a group. However, exercising at home was less satisfying and there was a mixed response to the acceptability of the self-management program. There was no difference between groups in any of the secondary outcome measures (preferred walking speed mean difference −0.04 (95% CI: −0.12 to 0.05). Conclusion: Home-based exercise monitored using telehealth for people with Parkinson’s disease is feasible and acceptable.

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A Digital Self-Management Program (HOPE) for People Living with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.28322 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hayley Wright ◽

Faith Martin ◽

Wendy Clyne ◽

Cain Clark ◽

Gabriela Matouskova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intervention Group ◽

Patient Activation ◽

Management Program ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Self Management ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Definitive Trial ◽

Secondary Outcomes

BACKGROUND Trial Design We present the results from a feasibility, randomised wait-list control group parallel design study, with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants were randomised to an intervention group or a waitlist control group.The intervention was a six-week digital self-management program (HOPE Program) for people with cancer. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a digitally delivered self-management program for people with cancer. This will inform the design of a definitive RCT. Additionally, preliminary assessment of the impact of the HOPE Program, via secondary outcomes, will be used to assess signals of efficacy in a trial context. METHODS Participants were drawn from an opportunity sample, referred by Macmillan Cancer Support and were invited via email to take part in the study (N=61). Primary outcomes were rates of recruitment, retention, follow up, completion and adherence, sample size and effect size estimation, and assessment of progression criteria for a definitive trial. Secondary outcomes were self-report measures of participants’ positive mental wellbeing, depression, anxiety and patient activation (i.e. confidence to manage their cancer). The intervention and data collection took place online. RESULTS The recruitment rate was 77% (N=47). Forty one participants (n=41) completed the baseline questionnaires and were randomised to either the intervention group (n=21) or waitlist control group (n=20). The retention rate (attending all program sessions) was over 50% (all n=21, 51.2%; intervention group n=10, 47.6%; control group n=11, 55.0%), the follow up rate (completing all questionnaires) was over 80% (all 80.5%, n=33; intervention group 76.2%, n=16; control group 85.0%, n=17), and completion rate (attending 3 sessions and completing all questionnaires) was over 60% (all n=25, 61.0%; intervention group n=13, 61.9%; control group n=12, 60.0%). Engagement data showed that participants viewed between half (n=5.1, 51.0%) and three quarters (n=12.2, 76.3%) of the pages in each session. CONCLUSIONS All progression criteria for a definitive trial were met, as supported by the primary outcome data. On average, participants showed improved postprogram scores on measures of positive mental wellbeing, depression, anxiety and patient activation. A full scale trial of the digital HOPE Program for people with cancer will allow us to fully evaluate the efficacy of the intervention relative to a control group. CLINICALTRIAL This feasibility randomised wait-list control trial was retrospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry (https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN79623250) on Nov 4, 2020. The feasibility trial protocol has been registered and published [International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/24264. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/24264

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When One Hat Doesn’t Fit All: Personalised Management for Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease

Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.24966/ggm-8662/100088 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Sudeshi Wijethilaka ◽

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Substantia Nigra ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Management Program ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Non Motor Symptoms

This article aims to provide a commentary on the article ‘An Innovative Personalised Management Program for Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease’. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that typically affects the patients as a constellation of motor and non-motor symptoms related to decline in the dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra.

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A Digital Intervention to Alleviate Loneliness and Depression Among Older Persons During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 933-934

Author(s):

Stav Shapira ◽

Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽

Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽

Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽

A Mark Clarfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Wait List Control

Abstract Social distancing has been proven to be effective in reducing infections but may cause ill effects on the mental health of older adults. We evaluated the effects of a short-term virtual group intervention that provided tools to promote better coping, and mitigate adverse mental health effects during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A Randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a guided intervention comprised of seven online group sessions in which cognitive-behavioral techniques targeting maladaptive beliefs and appraisals were learned and practiced via ZOOM. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults from Israel, aged between 65 - 90 were randomized to either an intervention group (n=64) or a wait-list control group (n=18). Loneliness (UCLA loneliness scale) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The findings showed a significant decrease in loneliness and depression scores in the intervention group with results maintained at 1-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the wait-list control group. In addition, ten participants (16%) from the intervention group demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease in depression between baseline and post-intervention, and this was maintained among 7 participants (10%) at 1-month follow-up, compared to only 1 participant (5%) in the control group. Our intervention presents a simple and easy-to-implement tool. Its relevance extends beyond the current pandemic as the skills acquired can be applied in other forms of social crises and during routine life, in order to promote the mental health of older adults who live alone and/or reside in remote areas.

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Promoting urinary continence with nonpharmacological interventions in Parkinson’s disease

Pflege ◽

10.1024/1012-5302/a000845 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Myrta Kohler ◽

Jürg Schwarz ◽

Susi Saxer

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Urinary Incontinence ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Management Program ◽

Urinary Continence ◽

Control Group

Abstract. Background: The evidence of nonpharmacological interventions promoting urinary continence in Parkinson’s disease is low and rehabilitation nurses do not give it a high priority. Aim: To examine the effects of a urinary incontinence management program on continence and quality of life in persons with Parkinson’s disease in inpatient rehabilitation. The acceptance of the intervention and the knowledge of the nurses were also of interest. Methods: A nonrandomized experimental study was conducted. The data collection commenced with a control group followed by an intervention group. A structured urinary incontinence management was performed in the intervention phase. This includes incontinence assessment, care planning, individual interventions, discharge planning, and telephone support at home. Results: Urinary continence and quality of life were enhanced in both groups; however, improvements were higher in the intervention group but the differences were not significant. Knowledge of the nurses about urinary incontinence improved during the study duration. The acceptance of the intervention was high. Conclusions: A structured urinary continence management may improve urinary continence in persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In clinical practice it is important to perform a detailed assessment to identify problems regarding urinary incontinence.

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