FUNCTIONALITY, ACTIVITY AND PARTICIPATION OF THE ELDERLY WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE TREATED WITH EXERGAME: A SERIES OF CASES

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative pathology that affects the brain's basal ganglia and causes cognitive problems, reduced muscle strength, postural instability and increased risk of falls. Despite few studies, the use of exergames by physiotherapy has shown to be beneficial in improving balance, motor function and severity  of the disease in individuals with PD. Objective: To evaluate the effect of functional exercises performed with the use of exergames in the functionality, activity and participation of patients submitted to functional exercises using the exergames of patients with PD. Methodology: Consists of a series of cases of four patients with Primary Parkinson's disease (PPD) treated with Exergame for eight weeks. The game Kinect Adventures! was used at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels. The sessions were held three times weekly, lasting up to 1 hour. Whodas 2.0 was used as a criterion for the evaluation of functionality, activity and participation. Results: Mobility was the most compromised function along with participation, common conditions in patients with PD. After treatment, there was a reduction in the total score of Whodas 2.0 from 67.0 (52.5-77) to 45.5 (42-58.5), which demonstrates improvement of the participants' functional capacity. Conclusion: Exergame therapy proved to be a positive response in the rehabilitation of the elderly with, promoting gains on mobility and participation of the individual. Keywords: Parkinson's disease; functionality; videogame; exergames; physiotherapy.