Open AccessExploring the benefits and barriers to Nordic walking in people with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study
Author(s) -
Sarah McCracken,
Pip Logan,
Kevin Anthony,
J. C. Parr
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
british journal of neuroscience nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2052-2800
pISSN - 1747-0307
DOI - 10.12968/bjnn.2021.17.5.193
Subject(s) - attendance , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , parkinson's disease , physical medicine and rehabilitation , mood , medicine , gait , flexibility (engineering) , psychology , disease , nursing , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background: Nordic walking (NW) has shown promising outcomes for people with Parkinson's disease (PwP).Aims: To explore the feasibility of the implementation of NW programmes for PwP in the NHS.Methods: A literature review and feasibility study were conducted. PwP joined an 8-week NW programme. Attendance and measures of mobility (Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-metre walk test (10MWT) and quality of life (QoL) (PD non-motor questionnaire) were recorded pre- and post-intervention. Barriers, facilitators and cost were recorded.Findings: Eight studies indicated that NW is superior to walking and flexibility/relaxation exercise, with improvements in postural stability and gait. Nine of 10 participants completed the intervention with improvements in mobility (0.16 seconds faster (TUG), 1.27 seconds faster (10MWT) and QoL (better sleep, pain management, constipation, mood, exercising outside) after the intervention. Cost was recorded as £6.50 per participant per session, with no adverse events.Conclusions: NW programmes can be safely delivered in the NHS, in partnership with British Nordic walking.