Goal-oriented Intervention in Parkinson's Disease

Effects of a Goal-oriented Upper-limb Intervention in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Upper-limb disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease include decreased speed and amplitude of movements, difficulty in sequential tasks, and disrupted execution of fine manipulative hand activities.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of home-based goal-oriented upper limb intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative neurological disorders involving progressive impairment in motor, mood and cognitive functions. Movement disorders have a negative impact on individual's ability to perform well-learned motor skills. These include akinesia, bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor at rest.

A goal-planning process should be useful to ensure that patients agree on the goals of rehabilitation. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of home-based goal-oriented upper limb intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.
• Stage II-III of disease progression as defined by the Hoehn and Yahr scale.
• Upper limbs impairment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical signs of dementia or psychiatric disturbance.
• Comprehension deficits that prevented them from following verbal commands.
• Visual or acoustic limitations.
• A neurologic condition other than Parkinson's Disease.
• Musculoskeletal disorders and/or if they had previous trauma or fracture of upper extremity.