The effect of a home physiotherapy program for persons with Parkinson's disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a home physiotherap y program for persons with Parkinson's disease. Thirty-three patients took part in the study using a within-subject controlled design. Functional acti vities including walking and carrying out transfers were measured at home a nd in the hospital before and after a 6-week baseline period. after 6 weeks home physiotherapy and after 3 months follow-up. Spatiotemporal and planta r force variables of gait were determined with video and pododynography. Tr eatment provided by community physiotherapists consisted of teaching cueing and conscious movement control 3 times a week. The study revealed that pat ients had significantly higher scores on a functional activity scale after treatment in the home setting and to a lesser degree in hospital, a result, which was partly sustained at follow-up. However. duration of the transfer movements, spatiotemporal and plantar force variables were not significant ly improved except for stride length. The results support application and d evelopment of the treatment concept and highlight that physiotherapy aimed at improving function in Parkinson's disease is best provided in the home s ituation.