Concept Mapping to Define Components for an Occupation-Based Intervention for Parkinson’s Disease and Anxiety

Background: Anxiety, a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), results in reduced life quality, reduced participation in meaningful roles and daily activities, and increased health burden. There are no evidence-based interventions to reduce the impact of anxiety in PD on participation. Objective: This study aimed to identify the key components required for the co-production of an occupation- and community-based intervention for people with PD-related anxiety. Methods: A participatory mixed-methods research study was conducted using online Group Concept Mapping methodology that included five stages: brainstorming, idea synthesis, sorting activity, rating activity, and analysis. A cluster map, pattern match, and ‘go-zone’ charts were created through multivariate statistical analysis based on participants’ responses. The stages were guided by questions generated by the research team working with stakeholders. Results: Eighty-three people participated, with 64 taking part in more than one activity. Participants included people with PD (n = 72), care partners (n = 6), and occupational therapists (n = 5). The final map contained 119 statements with eight clusters (stress value 0.252): exercise, lifestyle changes, self-help, coping, access to information, professional help, peers and groups, support from others. Significant agreement existed between the importance and feasibility rating activities (r = –0.07). ‘Go-zone’ charts highlighted the priority statements for intervention development. Conclusions: This novel participatory study highlighted priority components that provide starting points for future development of an occupation- and community-based intervention for people with PD-related anxiety.</jats:p

Benefits of walking and solo experiences in UK wild places

This paper examines human–nature interaction and how therapeutic this relationship is by investigating the efficacy of structured outdoor experience. Two walking and solo experience (WSEs) explored university students' (aged 20–43 years) perceptions of walking through and being with nature. The first was a 5-day journey (n = 4; 3 females and 1 male) and the second (n = 5; 3 females and 2 males) took place over two weekends, with a 2-week interval in-between. Pre- and post-experience interviews, journal writing, group discussions and a 9-month follow-up interviews were used to collect data and thematic analysis [Braun and Clarke (Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 2006;3:77–101.)] was applied. Both WSEs were considered together during analysis, as well as comparisons made between the two, in order to evaluate implications for practice. Benefits of the WSE that contributed to a general sense of well-being were: (i) gaining a sense of freedom and escape; (ii) gaining a sense of awareness and sensitivity to one's environment and its influence (iii) gaining confidence in being able to cope and take action; (iv) gaining a sense of perspective on and appreciation for life. Furthermore, the meaning participants formed in relation to their environment before, during and after the WSE, and the activity within that environment, played a role in their sense of well-being and in their motivations to re-access nature in other places. Findings suggest that WSEs are a cost effective way to give rise to beneficial and durable experiences, but a more holistic approach to policy is needed

What is the lived experience of anxiety for people with Parkinson’s? A phenomenological study

Purpose Anxiety is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s and there is no specific pharmacological intervention for people with Parkinson’s who experience anxiety. Yet there is little specific research documenting how individuals with this condition experience anxiety. It is important to explore the experiences of people with Parkinson’s to identify potential issues in developing future non-pharmacological interventions. This study explored the lived experience of anxiety for people with Parkinson’s. Materials and methods Six participants were recruited into a descriptive phenomenological study, through the charity Parkinson’s UK, using a maximum variation sampling strategy. Face to face interviews were conducted. Data analysis employed thematic analysis. Results Three key themes encapsulated the data: Finding ways to cope to “Try not to let it rule your life”, Amplifies symptoms “It’s emotionally draining it it’s also physically draining” and “Anxiety is a funny thing” experienced in myriad ways. A model of the experience of PWP experience of anxiety is proposed. Conclusions Anxiety is a complex experience constructed of interlinked parts affecting people with Parkinson’s in myriad ways. Researchers and healthcare professionals should take these findings into account when designing future studies and interventions. </jats:sec

CPD with a twist: the ROTTERS Curry Club

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The involvement of people with Parkinson’s in designing a study of the lived experience of anxiety

Introduction: Anxiety is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s and is an important consideration for occupational therapists working with this population. Little is known about how people with Parkinson’s experience anxiety. A pragmatic inquiry framework and inductive approach were used to perform a patient and public consultation round to inform future occupational therapy research exploring anxiety in people with Parkinson’s. Method: Seven telephone and two Skype interviews were conducted with people with Parkinson’s, who were accessed and recruited through the charity Parkinson’s UK. They were selected on the basis of their previous experience and training to participate in a consultation exercise. Thematic analysis was used to develop codes using an inductive approach. Findings: Three key themes emerged: experiences of anxiety in Parkinson’s; coping with anxiety in Parkinson’s; and considerations for future research. These include timing with regards to medication ‘wearing-off’ phenomena, easy access to medications, and providing a safe, sensitive research environment. Occupational therapists need to take these findings into account when designing intervention studies. Conclusion: This patient and public involvement consultation round proved valuable and the participants’ contributions will directly improve the design of future occupational therapy research exploring the lived experience of anxiety for people with Parkinson’s

Professional judgement and decision-making in the planning process of high-level adventure sports coaching practice

This investigation examined the planning and decision-making processes in adventure sports coaching. We utilised a thematic analysis approach to investigate the planning decision-making practices of a sample of high-level adventure sports coaches over a series of sessions. The investigation discovered that, in planning coaching activity, high-level adventure sports coaches draw on their epistemological values and domain-specific expertise, employ a synergy of classic and naturalistic decision-making processes, and continually audit the evolving coaching process. Based on these findings, implications for professional training, accreditation and development of adventure sports coaches are presented