Objective: On March 5-6th 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation is convening a meeting to assemble thought leaders in physical activity and education for Parkinson’s disease.  Our goal is to develop National Competencies for Non-Licensed Exercise Professionals(NLEPs) when working with people with PD.

Background: Exercise is increasingly recognized as an important component in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  With the variety of exercise classes and programs available today, it can be difficult for a person with PD to navigate which type of exercise class is right for them given a PD diagnosis. Safety and efficacy of the exercise program or class is solely dependent on the instructor’s skill level in teaching the PD population.  However, there is no measurement of quality assurance of exercise professionals to ensure they are teaching effective programs for people with PD.

Method: The meeting will provide a unique opportunity for subject matter experts to better understand the landscape of exercise and PD to create a standard of care for all exercise professionals. We will review the theoretical models of exercise competencies and complete a job task analysis for Exercise Professionals. In collaboration with the subject matter experts, we will develop to knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to for the exercise professional to work with people with PD during the various stages of the disease.

Results: Although we are submitting this abstract prior to the meeting date, we will write a summary statement including updated guidelines and discussions and outcomes of the convening meeting. Following the convening and summary statement, will be creating a task force of subject matter experts to work through a job task analysis for the non licensed exercise professional to develop National Competencies for Exercise Professionals when working with people with PD.

Conclusion: Our goal is to support the delivery of knowledge, skills and ability via a job task analysis that is delivered in an optimal way for this profession. These competencies would serve as a barometer, so to speak, for all training programs for the NLEP curriculum development and the workforce. Our data also shows that this would be of “very high” importance to the following groups, People with PD, Medical Professionals, Non-licensed Exercise Professionals and Community Based Programs (who are training the trainer).

References: Parkinson’s Advocates in Research Leadership Awards – Boxing to Improve Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Parkinson’s: A Pilot Study, Linda Denney, PT, PhD, MAppSc, Northern Arizona University Impact of Exercise on Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression in PD; Mary S. Feldman, D.O., Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Parkinson’s Advocates in Research Leadership Awards – The Impact of Three Distinct Exercise Types on Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression, in Parkinson’s Disease, Mary S. Feldman, DO, Premier Clinical Neuroscience Institute [need info] Translational Research Grants – Impact of a Novel Exercise Intervention on Executive Function and Sleep in People with Parkinson’s (2017), Amy Amara, M.D., Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham Exercise Targeting Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease, Giselle M. Petzinger, M.D., University of Southern California, Los Angeles ParkFit Trial Analysis, Bastiaan Bloem, M.D., Ph.D., Radboud University, Netherlands Parkinson’s Outcomes Project (POP): The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with PD who start exercising earlier and a minimum of 2.5 hours a week, experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared to those who start later.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/creating-national-competencies-in-physical-activity-for-exercise-professionals-working-with-people-with-parkinsons-disease/