Objective: To improve PD care and motor performance using telehealth exercise therapy in individuals with PD.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic disease with high social impact. Exercise is an established adjunct therapeutic in PD. Rehabilitation occurs through intensive, repetitive motion tasks, which require supervision by a physiotherapist. Telehealth is One of the new approaches to improving the quality of health care and reducing disparity and costs in people with chronic illnesses. In this study, we provide a feasible implementation of telehealth to improve motor performance in people with PD.
Method: 38 individuals with idiopathic PD were referred from outpatient university clinics. Patients assigned to intensive exercise received 1-hour sessions (four times
a week for 4 weeks) encouraged to work with at least 80% of their maximal effort. Four physiotherapists supervised training using A PC-based system and a web-based platform. Exercises consist of repetitive multidirectional movements (e.g., stepping and reaching), stretching, and goal-directed activities of daily living (ADL) according to individual needs and preferences. Participants were assessed immediately before (baseline) and immediately after completing treatment. The examination included timed up-and-go (TUG), 10-m walk, 6-min walk, and arm mobility using the box and block test. All assessments were carried out during the medication “ON” period.
Results: Subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvements for TUG (p < 0.001), 10-m walk (p< 0.05), 6-min walk (p < 0.001,), and arm mobility (p < 0.05).
Despite of low quality of the network in a few days, 78% of persons with Parkinson’s and 83% of families were very satisfied.
Conclusion: Telehealth exercise therapy can be of particular benefit to improving mobility in Parkinson’s patients. Overcoming obstacles to Telehealth will provide care with patient comfort and increased satisfaction.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
F. Yadolahi, N. Hosseini. Implementation and effects of telehealth exercise therapy on satisfaction and Mobility In persons with Parkinson’s. [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2023; 38 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/implementation-and-effects-of-telehealth-exercise-therapy-on-satisfaction-and-mobility-in-persons-with-parkinsons/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2023 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/implementation-and-effects-of-telehealth-exercise-therapy-on-satisfaction-and-mobility-in-persons-with-parkinsons/