A Pilot Study of the Feasibility and Effects of Table Tennis Training in Parkinson Disease.
Karin Olsson, Erika Franzén, Anders Johansson
PMID 33543090WHAT IT FOUND
Table tennis training was safe and feasible for people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease, with high attendance and no adverse events.
Balance scores showed a non-significant increase, while depression scores and self-reported activity levels significantly improved.
Key findings
01The intervention was feasible and safe, with an 84% attendance rate among completers and no reported adverse events or injuries.
02The primary effect outcome, balance performance measured by the Mini-BESTest, showed a mean increase of 2.1 points that was not statistically significant.
03Depression scores (MADRS) significantly decreased by 2.7 points, and self-reported physical activity (Frändin-Grimby scale) significantly increased.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was a pilot with only nine participants and no control group, making it impossible to attribute changes solely to the intervention. The sample size was too small to detect significant effects on the primary outcome (balance). Baseline balance scores were high (mild deficits), creating a ceiling effect that limited the ability to demonstrate improvement. The intervention period was relatively short (10 weeks). Post-intervention assessments were conducted in winter, which may have influenced accelerometer data regarding physical activity.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the non-significant increase in balance scores or the significant improvement in depression as proof of efficacy. The study lacked a control group and was underpowered, so these changes could reflect natural fluctuation, placebo effects, or other factors unrelated to table tennis training.