Tele-rehabilitation-based exercise in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study of feasibility and preliminary outcomes

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