Patient and therapist perspectives on motor imagery training in Parkinson’s Disease: a qualitative descriptive study
Kathryn J. M. Lambert A B * , Natalie E. Ball A and Ada W.S. Leung A BA
B
Abstract
Motor imagery is of increasing interest in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) rehabilitation. One of the benefits of motor imagery is that it can be safely carried out in an individual’s home. At present, there is little guidance for researchers and clinicians who wish to implement home-based motor imagery as a treatment tool for patients with PD. This study aimed to explore patient and therapist perspectives on home-based motor imagery training programs for individuals with PD. We sought to integrate these perspectives with the established literature to provide recommendations for the implementation of such programs.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 patients with PD, three occupational therapists, and three physical therapists. Interview transcripts were analysed using the Framework Method.
A total of five themes were identified from interview transcripts: (1) compensatory strategies are common in PD management, (2) program design should accommodate for cognitive concerns, (3) apathy is a barrier to home-based participation, (4) a relevant program is an effective program, and (5) technology can facilitate home-based practice. Participants identified several ways in which a home-based motor imagery program could be designed to best meet the needs of the PD population.
Motor imagery has high potential as a home-based treatment tool for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Researchers and clinicians need to take disease-related cognitive changes and apathy into consideration by developing accessible programs that feel relevant to the patient and contain accountability measures.
Keywords: interviews, mental practice, motor imagery, occupational therapy, Parkinson’s Disease, physical therapy, qualitative, training program.
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