Factors Influencing Habitual Physical Activity in Parkinson’s Disease: Considering the Psychosocial State and Wellbeing of People with Parkinson’s and Their Carers
Ríona Mc Ardle,
Silvia Del Din,
Rosie Morris,
Lisa Alcock,
Alison J. Yarnall,
David J. Burn,
Lynn Rochester,
Rachael A. Lawson,
on behalf of the ICICLE-PD Study Group
Affiliations
Ríona Mc Ardle
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Silvia Del Din
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Rosie Morris
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Department, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7YT, UK
Lisa Alcock
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Alison J. Yarnall
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
David J. Burn
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
Lynn Rochester
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Rachael A. Lawson
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
Participating in habitual physical activity (HPA) may slow onset of dependency and disability for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP). While cognitive and physical determinants of HPA are well understood, psychosocial influences are not. This pilot study aimed to identify psychosocial factors associated with HPA to guide future intervention development. Sixty-four PwP participated in this study; forty had carer informants. PwP participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer on the lower back continuously for seven days at two timepoints (18 months apart), measuring volume, pattern and variability of HPA. Linear mixed effects analysis identified relationships between demographic, clinical and psychosocial data and HPA from baseline to 18 months. Key results in PwP with carers indicated that carer anxiety and depression were associated with increased HPA volume (p p p p = 0.009). This pilot study provides preliminary novel evidence that psychosocial outcomes from PwP’s carers may impact HPA in Parkinson’s disease. Interventions to improve HPA could target both PwP and carers and consider approaches that also support psychosocial wellbeing.
