Quality of life management with a special exercise program in the elderly with Parkinson s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease among the aging population. It is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect patients’ functional performances, especially while performing tasks which are critical factors in related to quality of daily life. There are many controversies about the benefits.This study assessed the efficacy of special exercise program for improving of quality of life management in people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.۲۰ PD patients (aged ۵۵ ۶۵ ,Hoehn and Yahr stage ǀ III while ON medication) were randomly assigned to a functional motor task training group (n = ۱۰), or a control group without training (n = ۱۰). Before the training period the level and severity of disease, mental state, functional fitness in all patients were assessed respectively by using UPDRS and H& Y, MMSE , FFT. In special motor training period , experimental group received ۱۲ sessions of different exercises for four consecutive weeks. Quality of life assessed with Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire - ۳۹ (PDQ - ۳۹), before training, after training and after one-month follow-up. Research data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential (Repeated measures, ANOVA, T-test). All operations and statistical analysis at significant level (P≤۰.۰۵) were performed using SPSS software version۱۸.No significant time by group interaction were found in pretest (F=۰.۸۹۳, p > ۰.۰۵). A significant post-training improvement in PDQ - ۳۹ (F = ۲۷.۲۳۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱), was foundFunctional motor task training was found to be effective in improvement of quality of life in people with PD. It would effects positively on individual s independence to perform daily activities and having a better sense of life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Motor disability ، Functional training ، Daily activity ، quality of life