title: Feasibility, safety, and compliance in a randomized controlled trial of physical therapy for Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Both efficacy and clinical feasibility deserve consideration in translation of research outcomes. This study evaluated the feasibility of rehabilitation programs within the context of a large randomized controlled trial of physical therapy. Ambulant participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 210) were randomized into three groups: (1) progressive strength training (PST); (2) movement strategy training (MST); or (3) control ("life skills"). PST and MST included fall prevention education. Feasibility was evaluated in terms of safety, retention, adherence, and compliance measures. Time to first fall during the intervention phase did not differ across groups, and adverse effects were minimal. Retention was high; only eight participants withdrew during or after the intervention phase. Strong adherence (attendance >80%) did not differ between groups (P = .435). Compliance in the therapy groups was high. All three programs proved feasible, suggesting they may be safely implemented for people with PD in community-based clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: McGinley
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Frances E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Huxham
authors.forename: Hylton B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Menz
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danoudis
authors.forename: Anna T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iansek
authors.forename: Meg E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morris