2024 Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 137-140
This study aimed to explore the feasibility and tolerability of remote-monitored occupational therapy (OT) using robotic gloves (RG) in home-dwelling patients with Parkinson's disease( PD) and its effectiveness on upper extremity function, health-related quality of life, and caregiver burden. This is a preliminary single-case study of OT with and without RG performed twice a week for five weeks. Hand pain and severe fatigue, dropouts, simple test for evaluating hand function, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level, and Zarit burden interview were observed for six months. During the study, there were no adverse events or absences. All outcomes improved after OT with RG but declined gradually without RG, returning scores comparable to pre-OT with RG after six months. This OT program for home-dwelling patients with PD has been confirmed to be feasible, tolerable, and effective, and may be considered a future home OT.
