EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED USE OF ARM ABILITY TRAINING WITH ARM WEIGHT SUPPORT TO IMPROVE UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND ADL SKILLS IN PARKINSONISM PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE: This study is to determine the effectiveness of combined use of arm ability training with arm weight support to improve upper extremity functional skills and ADL skills in Parkinsonism patients. METHOD: Thirty subjects with parkinsonism ( 5 months to 10 years of Parkinson’s disease) were selected, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and according to the screening measures using UPDRS, Hoehn and Yahr scale and MMSE. Baseline assessment (Pre-test) was done using FMA, UEFI, and Katz index. After baseline assessment arm ability training (AAT) combined with arm weight support (45 minutes) was given to the patients for 12 weeks, 45 minutes in a day for 3 days in a week and post-intervention assessment (Post-test) was taken after 12 weeks by using the same outcome measures. RESULT: Post- training there was a significant improvement in all the outcome measures. The result of the study showed evidence of benefit of the practice of Arm ability training with Arm weight support in Parkinsonism; enhance improvement as a result of Arm ability training along with Arm weight support were found in FMA-UE is x= 97.00 (volitional movement), UEFI is x= 46.20 ( Hand functionality), Katz Index is x= 5.20 (Autonomy of ADL). The post-test has showed a greater improvement than from the pre-test in all the outcome measure (FMA-UE-P=0.001, UEFI-P=0.001 and Katz Index- P=0.001). The Pre and Post score comparison of outcome variables shown improvement in upper extremity functional skills and in Activities of Daily living skills following the intervention programme. CONCLUSION: The Arm ability training techniques with Arm weight support was found to be effective in improving upper extremity functional skills as well as ADL skills among the Parkinsonism patients. The Arm ability training combined with Arm weight support can be used with other occupational therapy intervention to provide additional benefits to the Parkinsonism patients. KEYWORDS: upper extremity functional skills, Activities of Daily Living, Arm ability training, Arm weight support, Parkinson’s disease.