Article

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of physiotherapy and occupational therapy
assessment of the upper limb (UL) in people with Parkinson disease (PD) and to
identify the impairments and activity limitations assessed and the methods used.
Method: A custom-designed questionnaire was used to survey physiotherapists and
occupational therapists with previous experience in managing people with PD,
using targeted recruitment to invite physiotherapy conference attendees,
clinicians employed in movement disorders programmes, and practitioners in
neurology and gerontology to respond either on paper or online. Results: Of the
190 respondents (122 physiotherapists, 68 occupational therapists), 54% reported
consistently assessing the UL. A majority (>60%) assessed impairments specific to
PD, but few quantified these using standardized measures. Activity limitations,
largely relating to manual dexterity, were assessed using observational analysis
(61%), non-standardized timed activities (46%), and standardized outcome measures
(61%), most generic or developed for evaluating other neurological conditions.
More than 10% of respondents could not identify an appropriate standardized
measure. Conclusions: Slightly more than half of respondents regularly assessed
the UL. Respondents reported widespread use of non-standardized methods to assess
PD-specific impairments. Standardized measures were more frequently used to
evaluate activity limitations, but despite the unique movement disorders
associated with PD, the clinimetric properties of most of the tools identified
have not been established in this population. Education and further clinimetric
investigation of measures in use are needed to facilitate evidence-based practice
in this area.

Langue : ANGLAIS