Tele-Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs with the effect of dopaminergic pathways in the substantia nigra and causes a progressive decrease in motor functions. When the literature is examined; Physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs applied in PD include conventional physiotherapy methods and neurophysiological based activity training. Classical physiotherapy programs; It includes stretching, strengthening, aerobics, posture exercises, balance and coordination training. PH treatment in recent years; Virtual reality is gradually enriched with motor imagery and robot-assisted physiotherapy applications and different exercise methods including dance, music therapy, yoga, pilates and spinal stabilization exercises.

Stabilization exercises, which form the basis of spinal stabilization training, use the basic principles of motor learning. The aim of the spinal stabilization exercise program is to support the vertebral column by increasing the strength and endurance of the stabilizer muscles, to improve the spinal posture by increasing kinesthetic awareness and to improve balance control.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of telerehabilitation practices even more. Telerehabilitation can be defined as providing rehabilitation services remotely using information and communication technologies. In order to minimize the risk of transmission in the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity levels of individuals have been reduced by restricting social life and the access of sick individuals to rehabilitation services is severely restricted. In addition, rehabilitation professionals are at risk in the treatment of these patients due to the serious transmission risk of COVID-19. Considering these situations, it is emphasized by many authorities that telerehabilitation practices should be expanded.

Inactivity, which occurs as a result of restrictions in access to social isolation and rehabilitation services, brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Parkinson's patients, adversely affects the progression of the disease. Telerehabilitation allows patients who cannot access rehabilitation due to their geographical, economic or physical disabilities to benefit from rehabilitation services. It is known that telerehabilitation applied in various neurological diseases reduces the fatigue levels of the patients, improves their functional activities and quality of life.

In line with all these reasons, this study was planned to investigate the effectiveness of two different exercise programs adapted to the telerehabilitation program in Parkinson's patients during the Covid 19 pandemic.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease who came to Hacettepe University between December 2018 and July 2019 were included in the thesis study.
* Individuals who received physiotherapy training two years ago will be contacted by phone and invited to study.
* On these dates, among the individuals selected within the scope of the thesis study, those who agree to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Persons not meeting the above criteria were excluded from the study.