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Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mantri, S; Wood, S; Duda, JE; Morley, JF
Published in: Parkinsonism Relat Disord
April 2019

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is critical in Parkinson disease (PD) management, but barriers and motivators of activity in Veterans with PD may be unique. We examined activity habits, including barriers and motivators, in this population. METHODS: Participants completed the Physical Activity Scale in the Elderly (PASE). Compliance with American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations was assessed. Veterans also completed the Exercise Perceptions Questionnaire (EPQ), assessing knowledge, barriers, and motivators of activity. Free-text barriers/motivators were analyzed by the overlapping clusters method. RESULTS: Seventy-five Veterans were recruited; mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 70.5 (8.2) years and mean disease duration (SD) was 5.4 (5.2) years. Raw median PASE was 120.4 (interquartile range [IQR] 68.8-165.7); age-adjusted median PASE was 135.3. Only 9 Veterans (14.3%) were AHA-compliant. There were trends toward negative association between PASE and UPDRS-3 (r = -0.24, p = 0.06) and between PASE and PDQ-8 (r = -0.23, p = 0.08). Sixty-three subjects (84%) completed the EPQ; 27 (42.9%) preferred scheduled exercise, and only 33 (53.2%) reported that they preferred to exercise with others. Common themes of 46 free-text responses included desire to improve PD symptoms (n = 15, 32.6%) and social engagement (n = 12, 26.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported activity in Veterans with PD is low, with less than 15% of subjects meeting recommended activity targets. Qualitative analysis of barriers and motivators revealed that although many Veterans enjoy the social aspects of group exercise, they may not feel comfortable in general exercise classes aimed at younger participants without chronic illnesses. These data will be useful in designing Veteran- and/or PD-specific interventions to increase activity levels.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Parkinsonism Relat Disord

DOI

EISSN

1873-5126

Publication Date

April 2019

Volume

61

Start / End Page

156 / 160

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • United States
  • Qualitative Research
  • Patient Preference
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Male
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Mantri, S., Wood, S., Duda, J. E., & Morley, J. F. (2019). Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach. Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 61, 156–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.10.023
Mantri, Sneha, Stephanie Wood, John E. Duda, and James F. Morley. “Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach.Parkinsonism Relat Disord 61 (April 2019): 156–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.10.023.
Mantri S, Wood S, Duda JE, Morley JF. Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2019 Apr;61:156–60.
Mantri, Sneha, et al. “Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach.Parkinsonism Relat Disord, vol. 61, Apr. 2019, pp. 156–60. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.10.023.
Mantri S, Wood S, Duda JE, Morley JF. Understanding physical activity in Veterans with Parkinson disease: A mixed-methods approach. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2019 Apr;61:156–160.
Journal cover image

Published In

Parkinsonism Relat Disord

DOI

EISSN

1873-5126

Publication Date

April 2019

Volume

61

Start / End Page

156 / 160

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • United States
  • Qualitative Research
  • Patient Preference
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Male
  • Humans