Objective: To explore and describe the perspectives of relatives of people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), healthcare professionals, as well as digital health technology experts on design and implementation requirements for an exergame-based training for the rehabilitation of PD.

Background: Exercise has been recommended as part of treatment and symptom management of PD [1]. Digital health technologies, particularly exergames, can contribute to better adherence and compliance when used as a tool for rehabilitation [2].  Exergames can enhance the personalization and delivery of treatment and rehabilitation, but the needs of healthcare professionals and relatives of people with PD regarding their optimal design remain unexplored.

Method: An in-depth semi-structured interview guide was designed. The questions explored topics of treatment experiences and preferences, motivators for training, facilitators and barriers in training, training goals and outcomes, safety, familiarization, supervision and guidance, training components, and preferences for exergame content, among others. Participants were invited to take part in two 2-hour focus group sessions. Qualitative content analysis [3] was conducted to identify emerging categories from the transcripts using an inductive approach.

Results: A total of 11 focus group sessions were conducted. 30 participants contributed to the focus group discussion, including a variety of healthcare professionals (n=14), relatives to people with PD (n=11), and technology experts (n=5). Preliminary analyses show that the data is rich in a range of components and perspectives relevant to the study’s purpose. Completed results will be presented at the MDS conference in Seoul, Korea.

Conclusion: This work will ensure anchoring among the target group, guide future development, and promote user acceptance and future uptake in clinical practice of an individualized exergame-based motor-cognitive training for people with PD.

References: [1]Langeskov-Christensen, M., Franzén, E., Grøndahl Hvid, L., & Dalgas, U. (2024). Exercise as medicine in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 95(11), 1077-1088. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2023-332974
|2]Bevilacqua, R., Benadduci, M., Barbarossa, F., Amabili, G., Di Donna, V., Martella, C.,…Maranesi, E. (2024). Effectiveness of Technological Interventions for Older Adults With Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review [Review]. JMIR Serious Games, 12, e53431. https://doi.org/10.2196/53431
[3]Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/tailoring-exergame-based-training-to-parkinsons-disease-qualitative-insights-from-clinicians-relatives-and-technology-experts/