Mentor

Gadd, Holly

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

There are approximately 1.5 million Americans affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). In spite of medications and technological advances in managing the disease, patients with PD still live poor quality lives. Therefore, effective natural interventions are essential in promoting wellbeing and quality of life among PD patients. This research study aimed to examine the usefulness and efficacy of a PD brochure designed especially for PD patients and their caregivers by utilizing CREATION Health (CH) principles to promote wellbeing and quality of life in patients with PD. This study employed mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research designs to evaluate the design, attractiveness, readability, quality, and usefulness of the information in the brochure. The majority of the participants rated all CH elements with high scores on the Likert Scale between four to five, and only a few participants rated the CH elements with low scores of one to three on the Likert Scale. The PD brochure was revised according to the feedback and recommendations of participants. The PD brochure has captured great interest among PD patients and primary caregivers. Study participants believe that the PD brochure is very helpful and beneficial for PD patients in attaining wellbeing and quality of life and also is useful for PD caregivers in assisting PD patients to improve PD symptoms.

Keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, balance, bradykinesia, dyskinesia, gait, motor activity, neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease, substantia nigra

Download

Share

COinS