Emine Nur DEMİRCAN, Nezire KÖSE, Hatice Yağmur ZENGİN, Gül Yalçın ÇAKMAKLI, Özden BASKAN
Turkish Journal of Kinesiology - 2026;12(3):300-312
This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary effects of two exercise programs delivered via tele -rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twelve individuals with PD, previously allocated to two groups in a prior face- to-face study, re -engaged in the same protocols remotely. Group 1 received a conventional exercise program (CEP) combined with cervical stabilization e xercise (CSE), and Group 2 received the CEP alone. Both programs were delivered via synchronous video -based tele- rehabilitation (one 60- minute session per week for eight weeks). The following outcomes were assessed pre- and post -intervention: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), visual analog scale, Short Form 36 (SF -36), 30- second chair stand test (30s -CST), static standing test, Fear of COVID -19 Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and ACTIVLIM Scale. Both groups showed p re-to-post improvements in total UPDRS scores, the mental health and vitality subdomains of the SF -36, 30s -CST performance, single- limb stance and depressive symptoms (p<0.05). Group 2 also showed improvement in UPDRS -II, bodily pain, social functioning, h ealth transition, tandem stance, and anxiety (p<0.05). Group 1 exhibited numerically greater pre -to-post changes in UPDRS -III, the SF -36 mental health and role limitation subdomains, functional performance, balance, pandemic -related fear and activity limit ations, with large effect sizes observed for selected parameters (Cohen's d>0.80). Tele -rehabilitation appears to be a feasible and well -tolerated mode of exercise delivery for individuals with PD, and was associated with improvements across multiple outco mes. Our preliminary findings suggest that integrating CSE into remote rehabilitation programs may offer additional benefit, but they should be supported in adequately powered trials.
