A long-term community gym program for people with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study of the Monash Health "Health and Fitness" model

CONCLUSION: The HFP demonstrated that a PD community gym program is feasible and acceptable when physiotherapists and PD-trained instructors collaborate to provide individualized exercise programs.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPeople with Parkinson's disease need support to maintain long-term adherence to regular exercise which can be achieved with supervised community-based gym programs.A community-based PD-specific exercise program can be safe and acceptable to people with PD when PD specialist physiotherapists are involved in planning participants' exercise programs and PD-trained gym instructors supervise the exercise sessions.Members are satisfied with programs that have strategies in place to minimise barriers to participation, such as keeping costs to members low, providing a quality service, having supportive trained staff, and creating opportunities for social interaction between members.Evidence-based community exercise programs may result in improved strength and aerobic fitness and maintain quality of life in people with mild to moderate PD however further research using an RCT study is needed.PMID:34546146 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2021.1977396
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Source Type: research