Evaluate The Impact Of A Community-Based Table Tennis Programme On Parkinson'S Individuals' Activity Participation.

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization defines Parkinson's disease (PD) as a neurodegenerative disease characterized by clinical manifestations (motor deficits) and a wider number of non-motor symptoms which relate to quality of life (QOL) and social attitudes. Participation is defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as interaction in everyday activities and the degree to which people are involved in their communities. Community-based exercise is one approach that has been investigated to encourage involvement in PD. Aim of the study: To evaluate a supported community-based Table Tennis programme specifically developed for people with Parkinson's disease. Design: an evaluation study, quasi experimental, one group pretest-posttest. Methods: 17 participants were recruited at the beginning of the study, the majority of whom were male. The selected outcome measures Parkinson's disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8), Oxford Participation, Activities Questionnaire (OX-PAQ), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire Exercise (PDQ Exercise) and Starkstein’s Apathy Scale (SAS) were chosen based on the research question and goals. Results: The current statistics indicate the following: (1) (n: 11) The study participants exhibit improved individual participation following their involvement in community-based exercise programme, although there was no significant statistical variance between the pre- and post-tests (OX-PAQ, PDQ-8); (2) The PDQ-EXERCISE underwent a significant change that would have improved PwPDs' quality of life; (3) There was no significant statistical change in SAS, while the mean of the whole score declined, suggesting that there may have been some progress; (4) Post-test assessments for all outcome measurements revealed reductions in overall scores. Conclusion: the community-based table tennis programme may have positive influences on PwPD participation (n=11), according to the current finding. Thus, the current study may be useful because it might be applied to encourage a more extensive study regarding the effects of the PwPD community table tennis programme.