Behavioural Change Techniques for Physical Activity and Exercise Adherence Among People With Parkinson's

Summary

Many people with Parkinson's (PwP) experience many barriers to reaching the recommended dosage of exercise. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of behavioural change support techniques delivered alongside an exercise programme to improve physical activity, function, to inform a future pilot randomised controlled trial.

Twenty participants with Parkinson's will be allocated to the intervention (n=10) or the control group (n=10). Both groups will receive usual care, which includes a weekly program of a multidisciplinary education, a supervised exercise class and a prescribed home exercise program. The intervention group will receive additional behavioural change techniques to help them adhere to the exercises, targeting behaviour regulation, belief about capabilities and social influences.

Outcomes will measure how well people were able to stay in the programme, and their physical function after the 12 week programme. Surveys will be used to compare experiences and satisfaction between groups. Exit interviews will be completed with the intervention group only, exploring their experience of the behavioural change techniques.

Discussion: The results will help inform a future pilot randomised controlled trial, based on the intervention acceptability, consent rate, maintenance, and protocol integrity.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Parkinson's Exercise and Education Programme

A 12 week programme of exercise and education The weekly programme consists of a 45-minute exercise programme, 45-minute education sessions delivered by healthcare professionals about their role in Parkinson's management, and independent home exercise programmes completed twice weekly (determined by the registered physiotherapist only)

BEHAVIORAL

Parkinson's Exercise and Education Programme and Behavioural Change

A 12-week programme of exercise, education and behavioural change techniques to support exercise adherence and exercise self-efficacy The weekly programme consists of a 45-minute exercise programme, 45-minute education sessions delivered by healthcare professionals about their role in Parkinson's management, and independent home exercise programmes completed twice weekly (determined by the registered physiotherapist and participant) Additional techniques addressing behavioural regulation include firstly, an exercise diary completed independently at home, secondly, the rationale and the intended functional benefit and expectations of the exercise programme clearly explained, thirdly individual weekly conversations to reflect on progress, expectations, solutions to barriers, and goals. Finally, peer support is strongly encouraged through the in-class support, and a social media networking group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University College Cork

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ruth McCullagh, PhD · University College Cork

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-10

Primary Completion

2024-01-31

Completion

2024-01-31

Countries

• Ireland

Study Locations