Views of in-person and virtual group exercise before and during the pandemic in people with Parkinson disease.
Holly B Bennett, Christopher S Walter, Chris K Oholendt and 2 others
PMID 35596118WHAT IT FOUND
People with Parkinson disease who moved from in-person to virtual group exercise reported maintaining or improving mobility and balance.
They valued the social connection and convenience of Zoom classes, though few had been referred to the program by a doctor.
Key findings
01Most participants reported maintenance or improvement in mobility and balance after transitioning to virtual classes.
02Social support and the ability to relate to peers with the same diagnosis were major facilitators for continuing exercise in both formats.
03Most participants discovered the exercise program through family or friends rather than through a healthcare provider referral.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relied entirely on self-reported measures and modified survey scales, with no objective functional outcome data. The sample was small (16 survey, 9 focus group) and likely biased toward those comfortable with technology and the program. There was no baseline data collected before the pandemic or the transition to virtual classes. Attendance frequency was not recorded, and 'regular attendance' was left to participant interpretation. The focus group participants were all White, limiting the generalizability of the qualitative findings.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high rates of self-reported improvement in mobility and balance as evidence of clinical efficacy compared to in-person care. The study lacked a control group and objective measures, and the PD-specific survey items actually showed that most participants reported no change in these areas.