What determines spontaneous physical activity in patients with parkinsons disease?

Physical activity (PA) is a factor that may have an influence on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this study was to identify the potential determinants of spontaneous PA in a PD patient group. A total of 134 PD patients aged 65.2 ± 9.2 years with a Hoehn–Yahr scale score ≤4 and a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 were examined. For the study’s purposes, the authors analyzed age, sex, education, history of PD, dopaminergic treatment, the severity of PD symptoms using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Hoehn–Yahr scale. Additionally, all participants were evaluated through a set of scales for specific neuropsychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, apathy, fatigue, and sleep disorders. A linear regression analysis was used with backward elimination. In the total explanatory model, for 12% of the variability in activity (R2 = 0.125; F(16.133) = 2.185; p < 0.01), the significant predictor was starting therapy with the dopamine agonist (DA) (β= 0.420; t= 4.068; p = 0.000), which was associated with a longer duration of moderate PA. In the total explanatory model, for more than 13% of the variance in time spent sitting (R2 = 0.135; F(16.130) = 2.267; p < 0.01), the significant predictors were secondary education and the results of the UPDRS. The patients with secondary and vocational education, those starting treatment with DA and those with a less severe degree of Parkinson’s symptoms (UPDRS), spent less time sitting in a day. It is possible to identify determinants of spontaneous PA. It may elucidate consequences in terms of influence on modifiable conditions of PA and the proper approach to patients with unmodifiable PA factors

Quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease in the context of professional work and physiotherapy

Background: Of many diseases and disorders of the nervous system Parkinson’s disease (PD) deserves a particular attention for its specific effects having an impact on the ability to undertake different forms of professional and economic activities. Due to the constantly growing incidence rate and the lowering age of patients, PD is becoming more and more serious social problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of professional work and physiotherapy on the quality of live in people with Parkinson’s disease. Material and Methods: The research was carried out on 109 people with diagnosed PD of stage II according to the Hoehn and Yahr classification. They were divided into professionally working and non-working subjects and those participating and not participating in physiotherapy programs. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), was used to estimate the patients’ clinical status. The Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), the Quality of Life Short Form (SF-36) Questionnaire and the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQL) were used to estimate the quality of life. Results: In all groups statistically significant differences were observed in each of the used scale. The PDQ-39 (F = 5.278, p = 0.04), SF physical component (F = 4.24, p = 0.005), SF mental component (F = 3.45, p = 0.021), PDQL (F = 6.57, p = 0.003). The highest quality of life was noticed in people working professionally and participating in physiotherapy programs. Conclusions: Professional activity and participation in properly planned physiotherapy help reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease. The study showed that the quality of life of people with PD is determined by professional work and participation in the process of rehabilitation. Med Pr 2017;68(6):725–73

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts. June 4-7, 2019, Szczyrk, Polan

Motives for participation in mountain kayaking tourism in the context of social status

Background. It has been observed that people have more leisure time than before and they willingly spend it actively, frequently taking part in kayaking events. The aim of the paper is to describe motivations for participation in mountain kayaking tourism. Material and methods. The diagnostic survey method including a questionnaire comprising 22 questions was used. Results and conclusions. The obtained results showed that the type of employment played essential role in taking decisions, while education and gender were of minor importance. Taking the mind off daily duties and tasks at work, discovering and admiring new places, as well as relaxing in nature were the most common reasons for taking up kayaking tourism. In turn, the need for being alone and desire to break stereotypes and just feel free were the least significant motives

Quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease in the context of professional work and physiotherapy

Background: Of many diseases and disorders of the nervous system Parkinson’s disease (PD) deserves a particular attention for its specific effects having an impact on the ability to undertake different forms of professional and economic activities. Due to the constantly growing incidence rate and the lowering age of patients, PD is becoming more and more serious social problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of professional work and physiotherapy on the quality of live in people with Parkinson’s disease. Material and Methods: The research was carried out on 109 people with diagnosed PD of stage II according to the Hoehn and Yahr classification. They were divided into professionally working and non-working subjects and those participating and not participating in physiotherapy programs. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), was used to estimate the patients’ clinical status. The Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), the Quality of Life Short Form (SF-36) Questionnaire and the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQL) were used to estimate the quality of life. Results: In all groups statistically significant differences were observed in each of the used scale. The PDQ-39 (F = 5.278, p = 0.04), SF physical component (F = 4.24, p = 0.005), SF mental component (F = 3.45, p = 0.021), PDQL (F = 6.57, p = 0.003). The highest quality of life was noticed in people working professionally and participating in physiotherapy programs. Conclusions: Professional activity and participation in properly planned physiotherapy help reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease. The study showed that the quality of life of people with PD is determined by professional work and participation in the process of rehabilitation. Med Pr 2017;68(6):725–73

QUALITY OF LIFE AMONGST CARE GIVERS FOR PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Due to a constantly growing rate of incidence and the lowering age of PD patients it is becoming a more serious social problem. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life amongst care givers for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The work includes research on the influence of physical rehabilitation of PD patients on the quality of life of their care givers. The research covered care givers (n=50) of PD patients diagnosed with third stage PD according to the Hoehn and Yahr classification. The diagnostics survey with a questionnaire addressed to care givers looking after PD patients was used. The questionnaire was created by the authors of this paper. The survey consisted of two parts, in which the first was to obtain basic information on the present status of the care giver, while the other was to verify life satisfaction level, using Jurczynski's Scale of Life Satisfaction. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in all analyzed statements between groups. Better effects were observed in the group participating in rehabilitation. Care for people suffering from PD affects the quality of life of caregivers. Participation in the process of rehabilitation of patients with PD improves the quality of life of caregivers

Senior Fitness Test in assessing the effectiveness of motor rehabilitation in the context of Parkinson’s disease patients’ quality of life

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The main problems associated with losses at the motor level are: tremor, rigidity, postural instability and bradykinesia. Many publications related to rehabilitation in PD r efers to methods which are used to rehabilitate patients, but there is lack of significant amount of publications concerning tools to examine the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of the work was to determine the suitability of Senior Fitness Te st (SFT) in the assessment of the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation of people with PD. The research was conducted in a group of 52 people (age 64.52 ± 7.56 years) with idiopathic PD disease (duration of the disease was 6.69 ± 4.93 years) in II stage in Hoehn & Yahr scale. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was used to determine the clinical status of patients. Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQL) was applied to determine the quality of life. The patients were divided into a group of participants and non -participants in the process of physical rehabilitation. Obtained results in the tests showed statistically significant differences between the groups in all the tests. The biggest absolute difference was observed in the Back Scratch test (308,33%). In order to achieve the main goal of the work, the correlation coefficients between the quality of life and the results of the SFT were calculated. The obtained results show that correlation between all the tests in both groups is at least moderate. The highest correlation was recorded in the "2 -minute walk" test in both groups. It was found that there is a relationship between SFT results and the quality of life of people with PD. SFT is a helpful tool in assessing the effect iveness of physical rehabilitation of people with PD

Adherence to physical activity guidelines and functional fitness of elderly women, using objective measurement

Introduction and objective Physical activity is an important factor in maintaining the health and functional fitness of elderly people. The aim of the study was to determine the number of senior women meeting the physical activity guidelines, and their level of functional fitness in comparison to women who are not sufficiently physically active. Material and Methods The study involved 61 women, aged 60–75. Physical activity was monitored on seven consecutive days of the week, using a triaxial accelerometer ActiGraph GT3X. Results of the assessment of physical activity were verified against the Global Recommendations of Physical Activity for Health. The Senior Fitness Test (Fullerton Test) was used to evaluate functional fitness. Results In the studied group, 36.1% achieved the recommended level of physical activity. All those examined mainly undertook physical activity of low intensity. Vigorous physical activity during the week was noted in only 6 seniors. Women who met the recommendations of physical activity achieved significantly better results in test trials, e.g. Chair Stands, Up and Go, Six Minute Step Test. Conclusions Adherence to physical activity guidelines was associated with better functional fitness of older women. However, less than half of the examined seniors met the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Healt

Risk factors for apathy in polish patients with Parkinsons disease

Apathy, a feeling of indifference or a general lack of interest and motivation to engage in activity, is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The large variation in prevalence and the underlying pathophysiological processes remain unclear due to heterogeneous PD populations. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for apathy, the modification or treatment of which may be clinically relevant and improve quality of life and caregiver burden for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Caucasian subjects with Parkinson’s disease were included in the study. Baseline demographics, neurological deficit, medications taken, cognitive and neuropsychiatric status, and the polymorphisms in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene were assessed. Apathy was diagnosed in 53 (50.5%) patients. They were less educated (OR 0.76 CI 0.64–0.89; p = 0.001), more frequently depressed (OR 1.08 CI 1.01–1.15; p = 0.018), and less frequently treated with inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-B (MAOB-I) (OR 0.07 CI 0.01–0.69; p = 0.023). Although apathetic patients were more likely to carry the Met/Met genotype, differences in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF rs6265 polymorphism between apathetic and non-apathetic PD patients were not statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Some risk factors for apathy may be clinically modifiable. Further studies are needed to assess whether modeling modifiable apathy risk factors will affect the prevalence of this neuropsychiatric symptom in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Leisure-time Physical Activity of Polish White-collar Workers: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective/background: The aim of this study was to assess the leisure-time physical activity of Polish white-collar workers in relation to various health recommendations. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 482 white-collar workers from Poland. Researchers recorded the leisure-time physical activity logs for 7 consecutive days of the week. Physical activity level was interpreted in relation to the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. Results: Among the workers, 42% of women and 53% of men declared moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week, but only 23% of women and 18% men undertook activity in at least 5 days. Conclusion: The results of the physical activity identified were significantly different from the American College of Sports Medicine and World Health Organization recommendations. The lower percentage of workers who met American College of Sports Medicine recommendations was caused by insufficient frequency of physical efforts