Objective: To evaluate the feasibility designed to inform a future national cohort study assessing physical activity (PA) and health longitudinally in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) in Sweden.
Background: Although the importance of PA for PwPD is well established, little is known about how PA changes over time and which factors influence its decline or maintenance. Given the multifactorial nature of PA, a comprehensive assessment approach including physical, psychological, and contextual factors is needed to address this gap. However, the feasibility of implementing such an extensive protocol in PwPD had not been established, motivating this feasibility study prior to launching a full national cohort. Therefore, a feasibility study is needed to optimize study procedures ahead of a planned national prospective cohort study.
Method: The assessment battery were co-designed with multi-stakeholders and included: a (1)7‑day home‑based accelerometer protocol, (2) clinical assessment (i.e., motor symptoms, gait, balance and cognition) and (3) digital questionnaires addressing physical, cognitive, disease-specific, motivational, social and environmental factors. Feasibility was evaluated using six predefined progression criteria (PCs): sample diversity; completion of the clinical assessment; duration of the clinical assessment; completeness of digital questionnaires; suitability of the accelerometer protocol; and willingness to continue participation, see Table.
Results: Fifty‑nine participants, 51% women (mean age 70 years, range 41–86; Hoehn & Yahr 1–4) from two sites participated. All feasibility criteria met the ≥80% threshold except PC3 (see Table). Only 50% of the participants completed the clinical assessment protocol within the target duration of 90 minutes. Most of the participants completed all the assessments and expressed willingness to continue in future longitudinal study. Accelerometer adherence and questionnaire completion were high.
Conclusion: Overall, the ActivPARK protocol was feasible, and the study successfully recruited a diverse group of PwPD. However, refinement of the clinical assessment is needed to reduce burden and streamline procedures. With these refinements the protocol is ready to multiple sites across Sweden. The forthcoming national cohort study guide the development of tailored PA promotion strategies for PwPD.
Table
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
E. Franzén, L. Sandberg, M. Nilsson, F. Bergquist, G. Johansson, S. Guidetti, M. Hagströmer, EL. Jansson, D. Conradsson, G. Faxen Irving, S. Ljungblom, F. Albrecht, C. Joseph. Feasibility of the ActivPARK Study – Longitudinal Assessment of Physical Activity in People with Parkinson’s Disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/feasibility-of-the-activpark-study-longitudinal-assessment-of-physical-activity-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/feasibility-of-the-activpark-study-longitudinal-assessment-of-physical-activity-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease/