The relationship of leap motion-supported occupationaltherapy intervention with occupational competence andhand function in individuals with parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder presenting with movement disorders, mental health, sleep, pain, and other health problems. As a result of dopamine depletion in the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease, multiple motor or non-motor impairments can be seen, including difficulties with hand function, role-activity competence, gait, balance, posture, and functional mobility. This study investigated the effect of leap motion-assisted occupational therapy intervention on impaired hand function and occupational competence in individuals with Parkinson's disease. 26 individuals with Parkinson's disease participated in the study. Participants were divided 2 groups into intervention (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. "Mini-Mental State Examination" was administered to determine the differential cognitive level of the patients; "Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)" was administered to assess cognitive and physical status; "Jebsen Hand Function Test(JHFT)" was administered to assess hand function skills; "Ocupational Self-Assessment (OSA)" was administered to assess role-activity competence; and "Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)" was administered to assess differential depression. According to the evaluation results, the initial and final evaluation results in hand function and occupational competence in the intervention and control groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, the effect of occupational therapy and leap motion-supported occupational therapy intervention on hand function skills and occupational competence in control and intervention groups was statistically proven. Keywords: Hand function ,Occupational Therapy, Parkinson's disease, Video Game-Based Training