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ABSTRACT: Background
Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) benefit from continuous exercise through participation in community-based exercise programs. However, community programs often lack PD-specific knowledge needed to provide safe and adequately dosed exercise.Objective
To evaluate the acceptability and safety of a PD-specific boxing program in the community.Methods
We developed specific educational resources to facilitate the boxing instructors. We also organized an educational and practical workshop for patients (n?=?26) and instructors (n?=?10), and assessed: (a) participants' satisfaction; (b) instructors' appreciation of the educational resources; and (c) numbers of patients interested in participating in the boxing program. After 18 months, patients and instructors completed a questionnaire evaluating: (a) participants' satisfaction; (b) adverse events; (c) facilitators and barriers; and (d) proportion of participants at follow-up.Results
Twenty-six persons with PD (62% men) and 10 boxing instructors participated in the workshop. 81% of patients and 80% of instructors were very satisfied. Instructors found the educational materials "very helpful" (60%) or "helpful" (40%). Patients expressed a clear interest (54%) or possible interest (46%) in the program. We initiated classes with 10 participants. At 18-months follow-up, the program consisted of four boxing sessions/week, led by three instructors, with 40 participants. Seventeen patients responded to the questionnaire at follow-up. Participants were "very satisfied" (53%), "satisfied" (35%) and neither satisfied nor unsatisfied (12%) with the program. Adverse effects were mild (e.g., muscle aches). Transportation and physical disability were the main barriers for participation.Conclusions
The boxing program was well-received, with increasing numbers of participants at 18 months. The educational resources can support boxing instructors participating in current and future boxing classes being delivered in the community.
SUBMITTER: Domingos J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6839476 | biostudies-literature | 2019
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Domingos Josefa J Radder Danique D Riggare Sara S Godinho Catarina C Dean John J Graziano Mariella M de Vries Nienke M NM Ferreira Joaquim J Bloem Bastiaan R BR
Journal of Parkinson's disease 20190101 3
<h4>Background</h4>Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) benefit from continuous exercise through participation in community-based exercise programs. However, community programs often lack PD-specific knowledge needed to provide safe and adequately dosed exercise.<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate the acceptability and safety of a PD-specific boxing program in the community.<h4>Methods</h4>We developed specific educational resources to facilitate the boxing instructors. We also organized an education ...[more]