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. 2021 Apr;24(2):566-577.
doi: 10.1111/hex.13202. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Perceptions of aquatic physiotherapy and health-related quality of life among people with Parkinson's disease

Aan Fleur Terrens  1   2 , Sze-Ee Soh  2   3 , Prue Morgan  2
Affiliations

Perceptions of aquatic physiotherapy and health-related quality of life among people with Parkinson's disease

Aan Fleur Terrens et al. Health Expect. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Enablers for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) participating in aquatic physiotherapy have been identified, and exercise improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) but it is unclear whether all enablers and barriers for aquatic physiotherapy specific to the PD population have been explored.

Objective: To describe HRQoL in people with PD who have undertaken aquatic physiotherapy, and explore their perceptions and attitudes regarding the programme.

Methods: Twenty-one participants who participated in a pilot trial on aquatic physiotherapy were included. Participants completed a survey regarding their experiences. The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) and Personal Well-being Index-Adult (PWI) were used to quantify HRQoL, whilst focus groups were conducted to explore their perceptions and attitudes. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize HRQoL scores. Focus group data were analysed using the deductive coding method.

Results: Most participants felt that the aquatic programme was worthwhile (n = 20/21, 95%). However, they had poor overall well-being (mean 41.6, SD 13.5) and HRQoL (mean 31.0, SD 13.2) as measured by the PWI and PDQ-39. Several barriers to aquatic therapy including safety when getting dressed, fatigue and transport were identified although many enablers were also identified, including an improvement in function, less falls and group socialization.

Conclusions: Aquatic physiotherapy was well-accepted. Participants felt their function improved and felt safe in the water. HRQoL is lower in individuals with PD when compared to Australian norms; thus, interventions to optimize HRQoL need to be explored further.

Patient or public contribution: Patients participated in the aquatic intervention, survey and focus groups.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; aquatic physiotherapy; hydrotherapy; patient perspectives; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declare(s) that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Timeline of data collection. HRQoL, health‐related quality of life; PDQ‐39, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐39; and PWI, Personal Well‐being Index
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Responses to the patient experience survey
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Means and 95% confidence intervals of well‐being as measured by the PWI for people with PD in this study (in black), Australian general population (in red) and multiple sclerosis (in green)
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Means and 95% CI of the dimensions of HRQoL as measured by the PDQ‐39 for people with PD
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Mean and 95% CI of overall HRQoL as measured by the PDQ‐39 summary index score for people with PD living in Australia following an intervention programme
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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