To investigate firstly the patients’adherence, the feasibility and potential efficacy of a Parkinson Disease Telerehabilitation Program (TR); secondly to assess the program with and without sensorized garments in two different geographical regions in Italy and India.
Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to multifactorial disabilities with consequent social restrictions, especially in the COVID-19 era, amid frail patients. PD treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, in which rehabilitation plays a crucial role, to maintain an adequate QoL. Telerehabilitation (TR) may offer advantages with similar clinical outcomes.
PD’Patients in our outpatient facilities were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were: Hoehn &Yahr (H&Y) score 1 to 3; being able to walk independently; adequate computer knowledge and being able to undertake a continuous 8-weeks program. Exclusion criteria were: Montreal Cognitive Assessment screening test (MoCA) score below 17; presence of dyskinesias, cognitive, sensory, psychiatric alterations. Patients were divided into three subgroups based on residual motor skills: TrP.A (high intensity), TrP.B (moderate intensity) and TmP.C (Telemonitoring). Patients had to perform a tailored exercise program at home; the activity was performed twice weekly with physiotherapist through Open Source Platforms (OSp) such as Zoom, Skype, etc.
33 patients with Parkinson Disease were enrolled, 30 completed the protocol: 14 TrP.A, 12 TrP.B, 7 TmP.C; 92% reached the end completing more than 80% of the scheduled sessions stating feasibility of the program. Functional mobility (gait assessed with 10 MWT; balance assessed with MiniBEST Test; risk of fall assessed with TUG) improved with high satisfaction.
Our TR program has been demonstrated being potentially effective in maintaining physical outcomes, and well appreciated by patients. The usage of OSp for TR could be useful during crisis situations such as COVID-19, or in logistical difficulties (distance - costs - no caregiver). The study is ongoing with TR program being implemented with sensorized garments.