An Online Physical Activity Coaching Intervention for People With PD in Qatar

A Pilot RCT of a Remote Physical Activity Coaching Intervention to Promote Engagement in Physical Activity for People With Parkinson's Disease in Qatar

Regular exercise can improve function and quality of life as well as have other positive behavioral and health-related benefits in people Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the benefits, insufficient exercise is common among PD individuals, often due to common barriers, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals with adequate knowledge and self-management skills.

This project aims to develop "Engage-Qatar PD," an online physical activity self-management program for people with PD in Qatar. Engage-Qatar PD will be grounded in a previously developed coaching intervention used in people with Huntington's disease (Engage HD) and people with PD. The main focus of this project will be the development work to adapt this intervention for online delivery for people with PD and within the Qatari context.

This development stage will entail participatory design, in which users will be actively involved as co-designers to ensure fully the required cultural adaptations. Following this development phase, a pilot randomized controlled trial will be conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of the developed intervention.

The innovative approach proposed for this project would have wide-reaching impact, advancing the development of new therapeutic options. It will deliver a realistic, culturally adapted therapeutic option for people with PD in Qatar that has the potential to be implemented in a variety of healthcare settings and other countries in the region. Importantly, future work could replicate this program in a larger cohort of individuals with other neurodegenerative diseases and extend this work to other countries in the region.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age above 18 years.
2. Successful completion of Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), or medical clearance from a neurologist.
3. Ambulatory for indoor and outdoor mobility with or without an assistive device but without physical assistance.
4. A neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of PD.
5. Ability to follow study-related commands.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Musculoskeletal injury or a medical condition that would prevent safe participation in an exercise program including failure to pass the PAR-Q test.
2. The presence of any other neurological conditions.
3. Acute illness or injury that prevents participation in the intervention.