Personalized strategies may support safer mobility in Parkinson’s
Experts emphasize balancing mobility safety with independence and goals
Written by |
- Falls are common among people with Parkinson’s disease and can be linked to motor symptoms like impaired balance, slowed movement, and freezing of gait.
- Experts emphasize patient empowerment and personalized mobility strategies rather than activity avoidance to maintain independence while managing fall risks.
- Experts recommended comprehensive assessments and collaborative care planning to balance safety with autonomy and tailor strategies to individual abilities and daily fluctuations.
Helping people with Parkinson’s disease stay active while managing everyday mobility risks may help prevent falls, according to a study of clinicians’ and researchers’ perspectives.
The study identified empowerment as central to safer mobility. Experts emphasized tailoring strategies to each person’s abilities, circumstances, and goals rather than simply advising them to avoid risky activities.
“As clinical professionals, we have to provide [people] with what we see as the potential risks, what strategies they may elect to undertake to minimise risks, because at the end of the day, the individual makes the decisions about what they choose to take on board,” said an occupational therapist who participated in the study.
The study, “Empowering safer mobility behaviour for fall prevention in people with Parkinson’s disease: A qualitative study,” was published in Clinical Rehabilitation.
Fall prevention remains a challenge in Parkinson’s disease
Falls are common among people with Parkinson’s and can be linked to motor symptoms such as impaired balance, slowed movement, and freezing of gait, which can temporarily prevent a person from moving their feet. Cognitive and psychological difficulties can also affect a person’s ability to navigate everyday activities safely.
Although exercise is a well-studied approach to preventing falls, it may be insufficient for people with more advanced disease. Researchers are also exploring safer mobility behaviors, including protective actions and problem-solving skills, to help people manage fall risks during everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing up.
Researchers held five online focus groups with 19 physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and researchers with experience in Parkinson’s disease and fall prevention. Most participants were women (84%), physiotherapists (63%), and worked in Western countries (89%). Participants had a median of 18 years of professional experience.
The discussions identified three approaches to promoting safer mobility: understanding the context in which a person moves, tailoring interventions to individual needs, and collaborating with patients and their care partners.
The main theme was empowerment, which meant helping people with Parkinson’s stay involved in activities that matter to them while finding practical ways to stay safe.
Participants cautioned that advising people to avoid activities could lead to inactivity and declining physical fitness, potentially increasing their risk of falling.
“In a safe environment … you can do challenging things but still make it safe,” one physiotherapist explained.
Personalized strategies account for individual needs and abilities
Experts said safer mobility depends on physical abilities, cognition, confidence, and the surrounding environment. Because Parkinson’s symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day, the timing of activities also matters. For example, planning activities when medication is working well may help people manage mobility difficulties.
Because these factors and fluctuations vary from person to person, experts stressed that putting empowerment into practice means tailoring care to each individual rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Participants recommended assessing each person’s balance, cognitive abilities, confidence, and ability to perform everyday tasks. Using questionnaires alongside observations of people performing activities in relevant environments may help clinicians identify specific challenges and develop appropriate strategies.
Interventions should reflect each person’s strengths, preferences, and stage of Parkinson’s. Rather than relying on generic fall-prevention programs, clinicians can help people develop routines and strategies that fit their daily lives.
Collaboration was also essential. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, people with Parkinson’s, and family members can work together to identify risks and develop strategies that help people participate safely in activities. Care partners may also help recognize changes in mobility as the disease progresses.
The goal is to balance safety with autonomy so people can make informed choices about the activities they pursue and the risks they are willing to accept.
More research needed to improve safer mobility strategies
The authors described an approach to fall prevention that “recognised a person’s autonomy and dignity of risk through a balanced consideration of safety during meaningful activities.” They added that it “also highlighted the role of expert clinicians to work alongside individuals and care-partners for safer strategy development.”
The study had several limitations. Most participants worked in Western countries, which may limit how broadly the findings apply. The study also did not include people living with Parkinson’s or their care partners, whose experiences of mobility risks and how to manage them may differ.
The team called for further research to evaluate the effectiveness of safer mobility strategies and explore how they might be adapted across cultural settings and healthcare professions. Including people with Parkinson’s and their care partners in future studies could also help researchers develop interventions that reflect their lived experiences.
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.