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Danzl M.1, Ulanowski E.1, Paydo C.1, Brockman J.1
1Bellarmine University, Physical Therapy, Louisville, United States
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) can cause a loss of social relationships, decreased participation in leisure activities, and diminished quality of life. Exercise improves PD-related symptoms and quality of life yet individuals with PD may face barriers to continued exercise participation. An exercise and wellness retreat that includes group-based activities and approaches found to be beneficial to individuals with PD may abate these barriers.
Purpose: To examine the value of a one-day wellness retreat for individuals with PD and their caregivers.
Methods: The retreat included group activities, meditation, yoga, outdoor walking, floor and standing amplitude-based exercises, education, and time for socialization. The retreat was designed and led by a neurological physical therapist as well as physical therapist and PT student volunteers. A qualitative case study design was used, bounded by program (wellness retreat), participants (individuals with PD who participated in the retreat and caregivers), and time (one-day retreat with subsequent focus groups). A phenomenological lens was employed in regards to examining the lived experience of the individuals in the context of participating in the program. Participants (n=11 individuals with PD and n=4 caregivers) were recruited through purposeful sampling. Data collection included participant observations, photographs, field notes, and focus groups. Data analysis involved coding the transcribed focus groups and participant observations for themes. The photographs and field notes were used to triangulate the data.
Results: The wellness retreat enabled participants to make the MOST out of the experience through: M (multifaceted activities), O (obtaining information), S (social support), T (training). Participants valued the opportunity to participate in multifaceted activities within the retreat (e.g., yoga, outdoor walking). Participants reported inspiration to continue these types of activities in the community. Participants described the value of obtaining information by learning from others, both retreat leaders and fellow participants. The social support provided a sense of camaraderie, motivation, an ability to give to others (such as sharing ones experiences), and a sense that one is not alone in this journey. The participants described that the training provided by the retreat leaders alleviated fears and fostered confidence, enabled them to try new things, and rise to the challenge of the intensity prescribed. Caregivers who did not attend the retreat described the value of receiving respite.
Conclusion(s): This report describes the value of a one-day wellness retreat for individuals with PD and caregivers including key features of the program highlighted by participants. Suggestions for future work include assessment of the effects of intense physical activity through a wellness retreat on quality of life, physical performance measures, exercise self-efficacy, and social support network development.
Implications: This work describes a novel service delivery model designed by physical therapists for individuals with PD and caregivers. For translation to practice, these findings highlight the importance of patient and caregiver education and referrals to community-based group programs (fitness and support groups). This work also provides an example of getting students involved in service and supports advocacy for coverage of wellness initiatives.
Funding acknowledgements: Funding was not provided for this study.
Topic: Neurology: Parkinson's disease
Ethics approval: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Bellarmine University (IRB #456).
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
