The comparison of the effects of home exercise program and the exercise program in surveillance of physiotherapist on the quality of life and functionality

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the effects of home exercise program and the effects of exercise program continued in surveillance of physiotherapist, on the functionality and quality of life.Methods: Twenty-one patients who were followed up in Movement Disorders Clinic of Neurology Department of Dokuz Eylul University, participated this study. Patients who reported that they could be at hospital, 3 days a week , for the exercise program implemented under the supervision of physical therapist were included in the study group (n:10) whereas the other patients, who reported that they could do the exercises regularly, were included in home-exercise group. Exercise program was applied 45-60 minutes and 3 days a week for a period of 10 weeks. The levels of disabilities in the patients and the stages of the disease was evaluated by the United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Modified Hoehn-Yahr Scoring. The functionality of the patients were evaluated by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Functional Forward Reach Test (FFRT), Time up-go test (TUG) and physical performance tests. Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Scale was used to assess the quality of life. The fatigue level occured after the application of the exercises was monitored by the Borg Scale.Results: Significant improvement was found in the mental, activity of daily living, and motor function sections of UPDRS, before and after the exercise, in patients completed the exercise program under the supervision of physiotherapist (p<0.05). In addition, significant improvement was also found in the Hoehn-Yahr stage, functional balance, walking, and physical performance levels (p<0.05). In the home-exercise group; before and after the exercise programme, part of daily life activity of UPDRS was found as significantly improved (p<0.05). A significant improvement was obtained in functional reach test, and performance tests such as turning in bed and sitting stand up (p <0.05). In the activities of PDQ daily living, mood and perception parts, a significant development was also found (p <0.05). A significant difference was obtained (p <0.05) between the balance of the two groups after exercise, walking (p <0.05). The levels of disabilities in the patients and the stages of the disease were found to be significantly different between the two groups after the exercise programme (p>0.05).Conclusion: The positive effects of the exercise programmes on disability levels, functionality and the quality of life was shown in this study. However the balance, walking and the physical performances of the patients who held the exercises in surveillance of physiotherapist were found to be more advanced when compared with home-exercise group. Both of the methods were found inadequate to influence the quality of life .