Outcome measures are vital to record disease progression, yet also, aspects of improvement after engagement in rehabilitation. When COVID-19 first came to the United States, it forced a rapid shift in the deliverance of healthcare, from being in person to now largely online through telehealth. For physical therapists, many of our tests on gait and balance were seen as a safety hazard to be applied via telehealth because there was not a licensed professional to guard the patient and prevent falling. However, we needed to be able to functionally analyze the patient in order to provide an appropriate treatment plan. We asked what measures would be most feasible, or adaptable to the home environment and could be safely administered over telehealth. The purpose of this project is to come out with a logistical flow of examination and evaluation tools that physical therapists can use specifically in those with PD over telehealth. The outcome measures chosen reflect common disease manifestations (orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, freezing of gait, autonomic issues etc), and use branching logic to further evaluate noted areas of problem that may be specific to the individual. We have performed case evaluations to test this logistical flow, and plan to publish.
Project Lead: Julie Fineman
Project Member: Chelsea Macpherson