Affiliation:
1. MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TAYFUR ATA SÖKMEN TIP FAKÜLTESİ
2. Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a rehabilitation program consisting of specific exercises for Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients on reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), quality of life and disease activity.
Materials and Methods: A total of 26 idiopathic PD patients were included in the study. The exercises specific to Parkinson’s were applied to the patients for 16 weeks. The evaluation of the patients were done before and after the treatment. The disease severity was measured with Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36). RT and MT measurements were done electromyographically.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in UPDRS total and sub-section values and SF-36 quality of life evaluation before and after the exercise program. While a significant decrease was observed in the RT values of the patients after the 16 week exercise program compared to prior to the program (Deltoid RT 370.46 ± 25 to 219.58 ± 17, biceps RT 370.42 ± 27 to 216.49 ± 14 and triceps RT 445.21 ± 31 to 247.53 ± 23, respectively).
Conclusion: In PD, the rehabilitation program specific to the disease leads to a significant decrease in RT. Although the exercise has no statistically significant effect on disease activity, quality of life and MT values, it was seen that it still led to improvement.
Subject
General Earth and Planetary Sciences,General Environmental Science