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An online platform to increase access to gait rehabilitation for underserved Parkinson's disease communities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Compensation strategies are a key element of gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease, ideally requiring involvement of specialized therapists. However, access to allied healthcare is not universally guaranteed. We evaluated an online platform to deliver compensation strategies for gait in 25 individuals with Parkinson's in rural Brazil. After three weeks of use, median patient-reported impact of gait impairment on daily activities [rated on visual analogue scale, 0-10] decreased from 7 to 4 (p < 0.001), without reported falls. This suggest that the platform is a safe and effective tool for supporting gait rehabilitation in underserved communities with limited access to healthcare services.

Source: Journal of Parkinson s Disease

DOI: 10.1177/1877718x251410104

Authors: Tamine TC Capato, Anouk Tosserams, Bastiaan R. Bloem, Jorik Nonnekes

Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, Universidade de São Paulo, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Sint Maartenskliniek

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Associação Brasil Parkinson, Parkinson's Foundation