Applicability of the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in the activities of daily living, motor sections, and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease after aquatic physical therapy intervention: a pilot study

Abstract

IntroductionDefine the applicability of the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) in the activities of daily living (ADLs), motor sections, and quality of life (QOL) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) after an aquatic physical therapy (APT) intervention.MethodsA total of 11 individuals participated in this pilot study. They were of both genders, mean age 70.73 ± 10.67 years, diagnosed with idiopathic PD, and classified in stages 1 to 4 on the Hoehn & Yahr scale. The volunteers were assessed, before and after the APT intervention, with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), sections II (ADLs) and III (motor sections), in addition to Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) (QOL). The APT comprises multicomponent exercises developed throughout a 12-week period, in twice-a-week 40-minute sessions. The data were analysed with the Wilcoxon test and MCID values described in the literature.ResultsThere were no statistically significant changes in the results found (<i>p</i> > 0.05), but they neared the MCID values in both scales.ConclusionsDifferent forms to analyse a study are necessary to elucidate the applicability of MCID values in detecting an improvement or worsening in the clinical condition of people with PD.