Objective: To examine changes in quality of life (QoL) over 1 year in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients participating in group-based telerehabilitation (TR), and to explore perceived benefits among people with PD and caregivers.

Background: Telerehabilitation may improve access to and continuity of rehabilitation for people with PD, but studies on group-based TR are scarce, and its long-term impact on QoL remains unclear. Because PD affects both motor and non-motor domains, assessment of overall and domain-specific QoL is clinically important.

Method: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, 49 people with PD and 43 caregivers participated in a 1-year group-based TR program delivered via Zoom twice weekly (40 min/session). Sessions included seated stretching, strengthening, aerobic and PD-specific exercises, cognitive training, and speech/swallowing exercises. Participants were classified as regular (≥80% attendance, n=24) or non-regular (<80%, n=25). The primary outcome was the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) total score at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Mixed models for repeated measures were adjusted for baseline PDQ-39, Hoehn & Yahr stage, and disease duration. Perceived effects and satisfaction were also assessed among patients and caregivers.

Results: Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. Regular participation was associated with better adjusted PDQ-39 total scores than non-regular participation (group effect p=0.046). Higher attendance was also associated with better PDQ-39 total scores (β=˗2.14 per 10% increase, 95% CI ˗3.96 to ˗0.33, p=0.022). The emotional well-being domain showed a significant time effect (p=0.007), and adjusted scores at 1 year favored regular participation (least-squares mean difference ˗1.8, 95% CI ˗3.4 to ˗0.2, p=0.032). The social support domain also favored the regular group, and the communication domain showed a group × time interaction. Both people with PD and caregivers more frequently perceived emotional than motor benefits, and satisfaction was high in both groups.

Conclusion: Although causality cannot be established, sustained participation in long-term group-based TR was associated with better overall QoL and emotional well-being in people with PD. Group-based TR may be a feasible non-pharmacological approach to support psychosocial aspects of QoL over time.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/association-of-one-year-group-based-telerehabilitation-with-quality-of-life-in-parkinsons-disease/