The Effects of Tele-rehabilitation Interventions in Parkinson's Patients

The Effects of Two Different Tele-rehabilitation Interventions on Physical Parameters and Activities of Daily Living in People With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder. The main motor symptoms of PD are tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Current treatments of the disease provide control of motor symptoms but do not change its development. Parkinson's patients should receive regular rehabilitation as part of their treatment. Telerehabilitation (TR) practices and studies examining the effectiveness of these practices are needed in order to reduce the impact of the current pandemic period and environmental and personal causes in accessing rehabilitation services.

In this thesis, in order to examine the effects of two different TR methods on physical parameters and activities of daily living in Parkinson's patients, Parkinson's patients who are eligible the inclusion criteria will be randomized according to the row of application and divided into 2 groups. Evaluations to determine the functionality, activities of daily living, falling activity, quality of life and fatigue level will be applied both groups. One group will be applied video exercise program prepared individually via TR system, and the other group will receive an exercise brochure via the TR system and patients will be asked to do the exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Then the initial evaluations will be repeated. It is aimed to increase functional capacity, independence in daily living activities and quality of life, and reduce the number of falls and fatigue levels with exercise training to be applied to people with Parkinson's.

Investigators think that present study not only will contribute to the field of TR applications in PD, but also will provide access to rehabilitation services and help control symptoms of Parkinson's patients who cannot go to hospital, rehabilitation centers and cannot access rehabilitation services at home.

Hypotheses:

H0-TR applications have no effect on the level of independence in physical parameters and activities of daily living in individuals with PD.

H1-TR applications have positive effects on physical parameters and independence in activities of daily living in individuals with PD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at least 1 year ago by a neurologist
• Hoehn and Yahr score ≤3
• Have an internet infrastructure where the system can be accessed at home
• Not participating in a standardized physiotherapy program in the last 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of blurred or low vision problems
• Hearing and speech impairment affecting participation in the system
• Epilepsy
• Presence of pregnancy
• Having any cognitive problems that prevent using the system