Health-related quality of life changes after the merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease program: A mixed-methods study

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 39; p. 101156
• Main Authors: Swink, Laura A., Fruhauf, Christine A., Atler, Karen E., Fling, Brett W., Klinedinst, Tara C., Schmid, Arlene A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2020; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Community-based practice; Health status; Health-related quality of life; Life changes; Mixed methods research; Mixed-methods; Mobility; Nursing; Occupational health; Occupational therapy; Parkinson's disease; Quality of life; Yoga; Health-related quality of life; Community-based practice; Occupational therapy; Yoga; Parkinson's disease; Mixed-methods
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101156

To understand changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after the Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease (MY-OT for PD) program.
We used a mixed-methods convergent design and administered the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire—8 (PDQ-8), a measure of HRQoL, with 17 participants. We considered scores 8 weeks before MY-OT for PD, just before, and upon completion. Additionally, we completed two focus groups following the program with 16 participants to assess qualitative changes in HRQoL.
There were no significant differences in PDQ-8 scores between time points, F(2,32) = 1.60, p = 0.22, partial η2 = 0.09. Participants did discuss improvements in all 8 HRQoL domains, frequently regarding mobility and activities of daily living.
Results diverged, with quantitative results showing no significant improvement in HRQoL and qualitative results indicating participant perceived improvements in all domains of the PDQ-8. The program should be explored further, and longitudinal follow-up completed.
•Participants discussed improvements in health-related quality of life with the MY-OT for PD program.•Specifically, the MY-OT for PD program qualitatively improved social support and mobility.•This program should be further developed to target health-related quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.