Article

The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of important
aspects of participation in everyday life for people with different levels of
severity of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A qualitative design was used,
with empirical data obtained from focus groups. The participants had all been
diagnosed with PD at least one year prior to the start of the study. Purposeful
sampling was used to ensure that both sexes, with variations in age, marital
status, living arrangements, education and employment, were represented.
Recruitment continued until saturation was reached and resulted in 29
participants. Homogeneity within each focus group was based on self-rated PD
severity (mild, moderate or severe). FINDINGS: The aspects that influence
participation at different stages of PD are that those with PD stand out in
public, as a result of disease-specific features, and that the disease is
unpredictable. Planning was highlighted as a strategy that is required to support
participation and cope with stress and to compensate for the fact that everyday
activities demanded a great deal of time and energy. CONCLUSION: These findings
are of importance to the development of rehabilitation interventions that support
people with PD in maintaining their participation in everyday life, throughout
the course of the disease.

Langue : ANGLAIS