Parkinson's disease (PD) causes unique motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite symptomatic treatment with pharmacotherapies, many persons with PD report feelings of loneliness and demoralization as their disease progresses. These symptoms greatly interfere with quality of life, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine whether providing remote neurologic care into the homes of people with Parkinson disease (PD) is feasible, beneficial, and valuable.
Methods: In a 1-year randomized controlled trial, we compared usual care to usual care supplemented by 4 virtual visits via video conferencing from a remote specialist into patients' homes. Primary outcome measures were feasibility, as measured by the proportion who completed at least one virtual visit and the proportion of virtual visits completed on time; and efficacy, as measured by the change in the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39, a quality of life scale.
Background: Physical therapy can improve motor function in patients with PD. Music performance may be used to improve motor skills by rhythmic entrainment. Drumming has long been a part of traditional healing rituals worldwide, and is increasingly being utilized as a therapeutic strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cross Cult Gerontol
September 2014
Underserved minorities are vulnerable to diagnostic delays and under-treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand knowledge and attitudes about PD among a racially/ethnically diverse group of community members. In the qualitative arm, ten homogeneous focus groups of 6 to 8 White, African-American and Chinese American older adults at senior centers in Philadelphia were conducted.
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