Poised for Parkinson's: Retention of Benefits 6-7 Months After Alexander Technique Synchronous Online Group Course

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To test retention of symptom-management success for people living with Parkinson's (PWP) after participation in an online Alexander technique (AT) group course that showed benefits post-course. AT is a cognitive embodiment training combining inhibition, body schema, and goal awareness to enhance daily activity. In-person one-to-one and group AT training has shown benefits retained at 1-12 months. <h3>Design</h3> Feasibility study. Pre-course, post-course, and 6-7 month follow-up data collection. <h3>Setting</h3> Participants' homes via Zoom. <h3>Participants</h3> Three courses recruited participants from North and South Carolina. Care partners (CP) were included to increase follow-through. 16 PWP (H&Y Stages 1-3)/14 CP began course; 14 PWP/12 CP completed course. Funding allowed only 8 PWP/6 CP for survey/interviews and only 6 PWP for functional assessments follow up. <h3>Interventions</h3> Classes met for 105 minutes via Zoom 2x/week x 9 weeks. Coursework included functional anatomy and self-management strategies taught through verbal instruction, physical demonstration, visual aids, and activities. Embodiment-enhancing approaches were embedded in everyday movement, including gait, sit-to-stand, and functional IADLs. Review handouts and session recordings were provided. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Functional reach, one-leg stance, TUG, and 7-item Physical Performance Test (PPT), administered via Zoom in-home with care partner assistance. Symptom-management self-report. Anonymous evaluations. Audio interviews. <h3>Results</h3> At 6-7 months, simulated eating, book-lift, jacket, penny-pickup, right-leg balance, TUG, 50-foot walk, and forward reach were better than pre-course. Simulated eating, book-lift, and forward reach maintained post-course improvements. Penny-pickup, right-leg balance, and TUG were better than post-course. Numerically, all scores were closer to post-course than pre-course (PPT: 2.69 pre; 2.85 post; 2.81 follow-up. BriefBEST: 1.92 pre; 2.13 post; 2.08 follow-up), though N is too small for significance. PWP and CP both reported symptom-management improvement from pre-course in shuffling, festination, balance, falls, pain, fine motor, handwriting, mumbling, apathy, depression, and physical control. Both agreed pain management even better at follow-up than post-course. CP reported continued vocal volume improvement. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Alexander technique shows strong potential for long-term symptom-management retention for PWP with increased benefits after 6-7 months in some areas. Large RCTs are justified. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None.