Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a telerehabilitation approach to group adapted tango instruction for people with Parkinson disease.
People with Parkinson disease (PD) demonstrate improvements in motor function following group tango classes, but report long commutes as a barrier to participation. To increase access, we investigated a telerehabilitation approach to group tango instruction. Twenty-six people with mild-to-moderate PD were assigned based on commute distance to either the telerehabilitation group (Telerehab) or an in-person instruction group (In-person). Both groups followed the same twice-weekly, 12-week curriculum with the same instructor. Feasibility metrics were participant retention, attendance and adverse events. Outcomes assessed were balance, PD motor sign severity and gait. Participant retention was 85% in both groups. Attendance was 87% in the Telerehab group and 84% in the In-person group. No adverse events occurred. Balance and motor sign severity improved significantly over time ( p < 0.001) in both groups, with no significant group × time effects. Gait did not significantly change. Since a priori feasibility criteria were met or exceeded, and there were no notable outcome differences between the two instruction approaches, this pilot study suggests a telerehabilitation approach to group tango class for people with PD is feasible and may have similar outcomes to in-person instruction.
1 Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Katie J
KJ
Seidler
1 Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.|2 Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Ryan P
RP
Duncan
1 Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.|2 Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Marie E
ME
McNeely
3 Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation R&D, Decatur, GA, USA.|4 Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Madeleine E
ME
Hackney
1 Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.|2 Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.|5 Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Gammon M
GM
Earhart
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000069350:Telerehabilitation / Q000458:organization & administration*
Parkinson disease; Telerehabilitation; adapted tango; adherence