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Physiotherapy in Parkinson's Disease: Building ParkinsonNet in Czechia

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2017

Abstract

Objective. We conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate the availability and quality of physiotherapy (PT) for Parkinson's disease (PD).

Background. Despite evidence about the benefits of PT, there is no data regarding its use in Czechia.

Methods. Questionnaires were sent to 368 PD patients seen in a single movement disorders centre within two years (inclusion criteria: idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 months in 60/64.

About half of the PTs have no experience with PD patients, 26% reported 10 yearly. The most widely used techniques were neurodevelopmental treatments.

Conclusion. Present PD healthcare model in Czechia is suboptimal (low PT prescription, non-evidence-based PT).

Implementation of European PT Guidelines for PD and the introduction of an efficient model of care are needed.