Physiotherapy
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We recently completed the ParkFit study, a two-year randomized controlled trial including 586 sedentary Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, that evaluated a multifaceted intervention (ParkFit program) to promote physical activity. The results showed that the ParkFit program enables PD patients to become physically more active, suggesting that this intervention should now be further implemented into clinical practice. To facilitate this process, we here evaluate the implementation of the ParkFit program. ⋯ We conclude that the ParkFit program was effective in almost all specific subgroups. Therapists and patients experienced no major hurdles. Suggestions for improvement are: (1) improve education for therapists with respect to theories about behavioral change; (2) formulate concrete and specific examples of exercise goals; and (3) pay more specific attention to patients with co morbidities, cognitive dysfunction and a lack of motivation during education.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reference chart of inspiratory muscle strength: a new tool to monitor the effect of pre-operative training.
To develop a reference chart to monitor inspiratory muscle strength during pre-operative inspiratory muscle training for patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications awaiting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ⋯ The chart is a novel tool for monitoring the progress of inspiratory muscle training for physiotherapy practice. Wider use of this chart is recommended.
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To improve understanding about the barriers and facilitators to physical activity for people with Alzheimer's disease and their spouse carers, and to consider the development of activity interventions that would be acceptable, sustainable and feasible for both groups. ⋯ An individually tailored approach for couples, which values the role of the carer and accounts for the progressive and changing nature of dementia, should be a guiding principle for intervention design.