Feasibility of a Tele-Assisted Home Exercise Program for Balance and Functional Mobility in Persons With Parkinson's Disease (TELEPORT-PD)

Abstract

Introduction: Telerehabilitation can enhance delivery and acceptance of the home exercise program. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and signal of efficacy of a tele-assisted home exercise program for improving balance and functional mobility in persons with Parkinson's disease (TELEPORT-PD). Methods: Eight participants underwent six sessions of physiotherapist-supervised and tailored multimodal exercise over smartphone videoconference through WhatsApp Messenger over 2 weeks. Feasibility was assessed through adherence and retention rates, and safety was assessed through self-reported adverse events. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, while functional mobility was assessed using Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test and 5-times Sit-To-Stand (5STS) test, at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks. Results: The adherence and retention rates were 100%, and no serious adverse events were reported. Significant improvements were noted in the change scores of BBS (11.23 points; p = 0.014), ABC (14.21%; p = 0.014), TUG (-2.21 s; p = 0.007), and 5STS (-3.11 s; p = 0.007). All participants provided positive feedback and expressed their interest to continue the program. Conclusion: TELEPORT-PD appears to be feasible, safe, and acceptable, while demonstrating improvements in balance and functional mobility. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2022/09/045345.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; postural balance; telehealth; telerehabilitation; videoconferencing.

Figure 1

Participant flow chart.

Figure 2

Smartphone placement in sitting and standing position.