MDS Abstracts

Abstracts from the International Congress of Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders.

MENU 
  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2024 International Congress
    • 2023 International Congress
    • 2022 International Congress
    • MDS Virtual Congress 2021
    • MDS Virtual Congress 2020
    • 2019 International Congress
    • 2018 International Congress
    • 2017 International Congress
    • 2016 International Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
  • Advanced Search

A Novel Telerehabilitation Strategy to Prevent Falls in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

C. Park, M. Afshari, J. Guenther, M. Patel, H. Bhide, C. Tanner, N. Galifianakis (San Francisco, CA, USA)

Meeting: 2018 International Congress

Abstract Number: 1108

Keywords: Gait disorders: Treatment, Parkinsonism, Rehabilitation

Session Information

Date: Sunday, October 7, 2018

Session Title: Technology

Session Time: 1:45pm-3:15pm

Location: Hall 3FG

Objective: To demonstrate that a novel physical therapy (PT) telerehabilitation program is feasible, reduces falls, increases balance confidence, & improves objective measures of gait/balance/postural stability falls in individuals with PD.

Background: In PD, gait dysfunction & postural instability lead to falls, a major source of morbidity, reduced quality of life, & loss of independence. PT has been proven to improve gait/balance & reduce falls in patients with PD, but access is limited & multiple sessions are often needed [1]. Telemedicine, the delivery of care using telecommunications technology, provides an avenue to reduce the burden of in-person appointments & facilitates access to more advanced specialty care for patients [2].

Methods: We developed a staged telerehabilitation program for individuals with PD (Hoehn & Yahr Stage 3 or lower) & a history of recurrent falls. Participants will receive 4 virtual PT home visits via live video teleconferencing with neurologic-trained physical therapists with expertise in gait/balance issues in PD. At each visit, if safe, participants will advance to more challenging exercises, such as compensatory stepping reactions, dual-tasking, postural exercises, bed mobility exercises, & exercises that promote multi-joint mobility. In-person evaluations are done at baseline & at exit to compare the impact on objective outcome measures, including: reported falls, 6-min & 10-meter walk tests, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, Five-Times Sit-to-Stand test, & Mini-Best test.

Results: One year after the launch of this intervention, up to 25 patients will have completed the program, which is in line with literature-supported exercises that have shown benefit in PD. All of the above outcome measures have been recently recommended by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy’s Parkinson Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness (PD-EDGE) task force for both clinical care & research. This research is funded by a Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grant.

Conclusions: Falls are a major source of disability, morbidity, & mortality in patients with PD, & frequent PT presents a major burden for most patients. In order to improve access to neurologic-trained physical therapists with PD expertise, showing feasibility & preliminary efficacy of this pilot PT telerehabilitation program is an important step in changing care models aimed to reduce falls in PD.

References: (1) Shen X, Wong-Yu IS, Mak MK. Effects of exercise on falls, balance, & gait ability in Parkinson’s disease: A meta-analysis. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2016;30(6):512-527. (2) Dorsey ER, Achey MA, Beck CA, Beran DB, Biglan KM, Boyd CM, Schmidt PN, Simon R, Willis AW, Galifianakis NB, Katz M, Tanner CM, et al. National randomized controlled trial of virtual house calls for people with Parkinson’s disease: interest & barriers. Telemed J E Health. 2016 Jul; 22(27)590-598.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

C. Park, M. Afshari, J. Guenther, M. Patel, H. Bhide, C. Tanner, N. Galifianakis. A Novel Telerehabilitation Strategy to Prevent Falls in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2018; 33 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-novel-telerehabilitation-strategy-to-prevent-falls-in-parkinsons-disease-pd/. Accessed June 12, 2025.
  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

« Back to 2018 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-novel-telerehabilitation-strategy-to-prevent-falls-in-parkinsons-disease-pd/

Most Viewed Abstracts

  • This Week
  • This Month
  • All Time
  • Covid vaccine induced parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction
  • Life expectancy with and without Parkinson’s disease in the general population
  • What is the appropriate sleep position for Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension in the morning?
  • An atypical and interesting feature of Parkinson´s disease
  • Increased Risks of Botulinum Toxin Injection in Patients with Hypermobility Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: A Case Series
  • Covid vaccine induced parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction
  • An Apparent Cluster of Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a Golf Community
  • What is the appropriate sleep position for Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension in the morning?
  • Life expectancy with and without Parkinson’s disease in the general population
  • The hardest symptoms that bother patients with Parkinson's disease
    • Help & Support
    • About Us
    • Cookies & Privacy
    • Wiley Job Network
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertisers & Agents
    Copyright © 2025 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. All Rights Reserved.
    Wiley