A Novel Boot Camp Program to Help Guide Personalized Exercise in People with Parkinson Disease.

Josefa Domingos,John Dean,Catarina Godinho,Travis M Cruickshank,Júlio Belo Fernandes,Katarzyna Śmiłowska

doi:10.3390/jpm11090938

Abstract

Given the variety of exercise programs available for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), such individuals may struggle to make decisions about what exercise to perform. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness, satisfaction, and preferences regarding participation in a PD-personalized educational and exercise boot camp program. Attendees participated in a four-day program consisting of exercise sessions, workshops, and social activities. We collected demographic and clinical information. We assessed satisfaction and preferences immediately after. At one-month follow-up, participants assessed usefulness and changes in exercise habits. Eight individuals diagnosed with PD, with a mean age of 59.5 ± 6.8 years, participated. All participants felt “very satisfied” and likely to attend future events. The two favorite sessions were: cognitive stepping and dance-based movements. At one-month follow-up, participants considered the program “very useful” and reported changes in their exercise routine. Our results suggest that the boot camp program was considered useful and capable of influencing participants’ exercise habits.

Highlights

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in a gradual reduction in activities of daily living and quality of life [1]
There is a variety of rehabilitation, exercise, and physical activity programs that are available for individuals with PD
Engaging in a regular rehabilitation and clinical exercise interventions and guaranteeing ongoing adherence requires finding the proper program that really fits the patients’ needs and preferences, as well as bypasses common perceived barriers to exercise in PD [23,24]

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in a gradual reduction in activities of daily living and quality of life [1]. Increasing evidence suggests that individuals with PD benefit from continuous ongoing exercise to improve and maintain physical functioning and help them better manage the disease [2,3]. People with PD are currently encouraged to play an active role in selfmanagement and acquire the exercise tools in their community to manage their disease [4]. There is a variety of rehabilitation, exercise, and physical activity programs that are available for individuals with PD. Engaging in a regular rehabilitation and clinical exercise interventions and guaranteeing ongoing adherence requires finding the proper program that really fits the patients’ needs and preferences, as well as bypasses common perceived barriers to exercise in PD [23,24]

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Conclusion