Objective: The purpose of this study is to synthesize the literature on self-care strategies implemented by patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

Background: Parkinson’s disease presents both motor and non-motor symptoms that impact patients’ quality of life. This aspect requires patients to adopt strategies useful for self-management of the disease, within the framework of self-care management, monitoring, and maintenance.

Method: A metasynthesis was conducted using the approach of Sandelowski and Barroso. The main databases were queried. The articles identified as suitable during the selection process underwent qualitative evaluation using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.

Results: A total of 52 articles were identified, with quality scores ranging between 70% and 100%. The studies were synthesized according to the three dimensions of self-care proposed by Barbara Riegel: self-care monitoring, self-care management, and self-care maintenance. The study were primarily published between 2015 and 2024, predominantly in Europe and North America.

Conclusion: The literature highlights that patients with Parkinson’s disease currently implement various self-care maintenance strategies, such as adopting lifestyles characterized by physical exercise and a balanced diet. An essential aspect of maintenance is medication adherence, which is fundamental for symptom management, even in patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Patients use symptom monitoring strategies, including specific digital and paper-based devices. Parkinson’s disease management strategies involve adapting the living environment, caregiver support in daily activities, and approaches to handling hallucinations and fall prevention

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Evers LJW, Peeters JM, Bloem BR, Meinders MJ. Need for personalized monitoring of Parkinson’s disease: the perspectives of patients and specialized healthcare providers. Front Neurol. 4 may 2023;14:1150634.
Liddle J, Beazley G, Gustafsson L, Silburn P. Mapping the experiences and needs of deep brain stimulation for people with Parkinson’s disease and their family members. Brain Impair. december 2019;20(3):211–25.
Ludvigsen MS, Hall EOC, Meyer G, Fegran L, Aagaard H, Uhrenfeldt L. Using Sandelowski and Barroso’s Meta-Synthesis Method in Advancing Qualitative Evidence. Qual Health Res. February 2016;26(3):320–9.
Nimmons D, Armstrong M, Pigott J, Walters K, Schrag A, Ogunleye D, et al. Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson’s disease and their use of digital health to do this. Digit Health. January 2022;8:205520762211022.
Renouf S, Ffytche D, Pinto R, Murray J, Lawrence V. Visual hallucinations in dementia and Parkinson’s disease: A qualitative exploration of patient and caregiver experiences. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. October 2018;33(10):1327–34.
Riegel B, Jaarsma T, Strömberg A. A Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness. Adv Nurs Sci. july 2012;35(3):194–204.
Tan QY, Roberts HC, Fraser SDS, Amar K, Ibrahim K. What are the modifiable factors of treatment burden and capacity among people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers: A qualitative study. Abdullah KL, curatore. PLOS ONE. 30 march 2023;18(3):e0283713.
Vann-Ward T, Morse JM, Charmaz K. Preserving Self: Theorizing the Social and Psychological Processes of Living With Parkinson Disease. Qual Health Res. june 2017;27(7):964–82.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/stretegy-of-self-care-in-patient-with-parkison-disease-a-metasynthesis/