Tele-rehabilitation-based exercise in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study of feasibility and preliminary outcomes
Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, cilt.12, sa.3, ss.300-312, 2026 (TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 12 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.31459/turkjkin.1941478
- Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Kinesiology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.300-312
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary effects of two exercise programs
delivered via tele-rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twelve individuals
with PD, previously allocated to two groups in a prior face-to-face study, re-engaged in the same
protocols remotely. Group 1 received a conventional exercise program (CEP) combined with
cervical stabilization exercise (CSE), and Group 2 received the CEP alone. Both programs were
delivered via synchronous video-based tele-rehabilitation (one 60-minute session per week for
eight weeks). The following outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention: Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), visual analog scale, Short Form 36 (SF-36), 30-second
chair stand test (30s-CST), static standing test, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory,
Beck Depression Inventory, and ACTIVLIM Scale. Both groups showed pre-to-post improvements
in total UPDRS scores, the mental health and vitality subdomains of the SF-36, 30s-CST
performance, single-limb stance and depressive symptoms (p<0.05). Group 2 also showed
improvement in UPDRS-II, bodily pain, social functioning, health transition, tandem stance, and
anxiety (p<0.05). Group 1 exhibited numerically greater pre-to-post changes in UPDRS-III, the SF-
36 mental health and role limitation subdomains, functional performance, balance, pandemic-
related fear and activity limitations, with large effect sizes observed for selected parameters
(Cohen's d>0.80). Tele-rehabilitation appears to be a feasible and well-tolerated mode of exercise
delivery for individuals with PD, and was associated with improvements across multiple outcomes.
Our preliminary findings suggest that integrating CSE into remote rehabilitation programs may
offer additional benefit, but they should be supported in adequately powered trials.