Reliability of Impairment and Physical Performance Measures for Persons With Parkinson's Disease

The primary objective of this study was to provide preliminary evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a newly developed Tai Chi-based exercise program for older adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Using a one-group pretest-posttest design, 17 community-dwelling adults (mean age 71.51 years) with mild to moderate idiopathic PD (Stage I, II, or III on the Hoehn and Yahr scale) and stable medication use completed a 5-day, 90-min/day Tai Chi exercise-evaluation program. Outcome measures included face-to-face exit interviews on appropriateness and safety and physical performance (i.e., 50-ft speed walk, up-and-go, functional reach). At the end of this brief intervention, exercise adherence was 100% and the program was shown to be safe. Exit interviews indicated that the program was well received by all participants with respect to program appropriateness, participant satisfaction and enjoyment, and intentions to continue. Furthermore, a significant pretest-to-posttest change was observed at the end of the 5-day program in all three physical-performance measures (p< .05). The results of this pilot evaluation suggest that Tai Chi is an appropriate physical activity for older adults with PD and might also be useful as a therapeutic exercise modality for improving and maintaining physical function. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation.

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A tandem cycling program: feasibility and physical performance outcomes in people with Parkinson's disease

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1834 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 101 ◽

pp. e976-e977

Author(s):

E.L. McGough ◽

C. Robinson ◽

M. Nelson ◽

R. Houle ◽

G. Fraser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Performance Outcomes

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RISING FROM THE FLOOR IN PERSONS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1768 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S474-S475

Author(s):

Dennis W Klima ◽

Jeremy Stewart ◽

Frank Freijomil ◽

Mary DiBartolo

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Performance Measure ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Motor Patterns ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract While considerable research has targeted gait, balance and preventing falls in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), less in known about the ability to rise from the floor in this population. The aims of this study were to 1) Examine the relationship between locomotion and physical performance tests and the timed supine to stand performance measure and to 2) Identify both the time required and predominant motor patterns utilized by persons with PD to complete to floor rise transition. A cross-sectional design was utilized. Twenty community-dwelling older adults with PD (mean age 74.8+/-9.5 years; 13 men) performed a standardized floor rise test and locomotion tests in a structured task circuit. Subject demographic and anthropometric data were also collected. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment correlations. Fifteen subjects (75%) demonstrated the crouch kneel pattern and fourteen (70%) used an all-4’s strategy to rise to stand. The mean time to rise from the floor was 14.9 (+/- 7.6) seconds and slower than published norms for persons without PD. Nine subjects required the use of a chair to perform floor recovery. Supine to stand performance time was significantly correlated with the: Dynamic Gait Index (r= - 0.66; p<0.002), Five Times Sit to Stand Test (r=0.78; p<0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (r=0.74; p<0.001), and gait velocity (r= -0.77; p<0.001). Rising from the floor demonstrates concurrent validity with locomotion and physical performance tests. Floor recovery techniques can be incorporated in fall prevention initiatives in conjunction with PD symptom management.

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