Physiotherapist-led community gymnasium exercises for individuals with early onset Parkinson’s: a qualitative analysis

Purpose: With the increasing prevalence of early onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) world-wide, there is a need to understand consumer views on the benefits and barriers to community exercise programs for people with this progressive condition. Materials and methods: A physiotherapist-led, 1:1 strength training program was implemented in adults with EOPD by exercise trainers who were educated and supervised to ensure safe exercise delivery. We applied a qualitative descriptive approach to collect and thematically analyse data from two groups of consumers: (i) people ≤ 50 years with EOPD (ii) exercise trainers. Results: Interviews from 16 participants were transcribed and inductively coded with three main themes emerging: (i) a community gym program was acceptable and of benefit in individuals with EOPD (ii) exercise delivery was safe and feasible provided that exercise trainers were educated about PD and supported (iii) challenges to regular exercise participation included work and family commitments, gym access and matching exercise times to PD medication cycles. Conclusions: Adults with EOPD valued participating in a community gymnasium program and exercise trainers reported benefits of being educated and supervised in exercise delivery. Physiotherapists play a key role in the design, supervision, and modification of exercise programs to optimise safety and benefit.