TO INVESTIGATE THE FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE BEFORE AND AFTER PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY TABLE TENNIS INTERVENTION

Abstract

Background: A number of Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms negatively influence patients' quality of life and ability to function independently. A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of community-based exercise programmes as symptom management strategies. Despite this, little research has explored table tennis' impact on functional mobility in people with PD. Objective: To investigate whether participating in a community table tennis intervention improves functional outcomes related to balance, mobility, fall risk, and upper-body strength for people with PD. Second, to determine if taking part in a community table tennis intervention enhances PD patients' balance confidence to perform daily functional activities. Methodology: A one-group pre-test–post-test design. 16 PD patients (median age:66.1 years) were recruited and participated in 1 table tennis training session per week (60 min each) for 8 weeks. Measurements of Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSTS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), and hand grip strength were taken before and after the table tennis intervention. Results: The results of the 11 participants who completed the study indicate that TUG scores significantly improved (p=0.008), but that improvements in FTSTS (p=.134), ABC (p=0.929), and left-hand grip strength (p=.347) were not statistically significant. Additionally, there was no statistically significant decrease in the participants' right-hand dominant grip strength (p=.393). Conclusion: The results of this study show that table tennis training improved functional mobility and reduced the risk of falling for patients with PD. However, improvements in balance confidence, lower limb strength, and hand grip strength were not statistically significant. Thus, a table tennis intervention may help to improve functional mobility and balance confidence in people with PD, and should be considered in the clinical setting to assist in making treatment choices. More trials, which last longer and involve more frequent interventions, are required.