Patients reported to researchers at the University of Haifa on the aggravation of symptoms such as imbalance, stiffness and tremor • The researchers: It is necessary to develop a solution even during periods of social distance
Corona closures and discontinuation of treatments in the past year have not gone well with Michal Shoshani.
"My condition has worsened," says Shoshani, 71, who has been dealing with Parkinson's since the age of 52. "The aggravation is manifested in severe sleep disturbances, nightmares, difficulty walking, fixation and movement stiffness, as well as obesity. Today I have to use a cane or walker, and I really feel Withdrawal from the disease. "
Shoshani says she needs complementary therapies such as hydrotherapy, occupational therapy, communication clinics and physiotherapy.
"The treatments were stopped completely because of the corona and my health condition deteriorated greatly, especially in light of the fact that I live in the northern periphery, in a moshav near Tiberias, where there is not enough access to treatments and rehabilitation services."
Shoshani is not alone.
A survey conducted by the University of Haifa revealed that periods of closure aggravated the condition of Parkinson's patients in the country and worsened their physical and mental condition.
The study was conducted among 150 patients.
According to the study, conducted by Dr. Galit Yogev-Seligman and Dr. Michal Kafri, about 43% of respondents reported worsening of the symptoms of the disease: muscle stiffness, tremor, imbalance and fatigue.
About 37% reported deterioration in walking ability, 42% on increased depression, anxiety and feelings of loneliness, and 34% on weight gain.
Approximately 25% of respondents reported an increase in the need for assistance in performing routine tasks and functioning in daily life.
"Maintain a treatment routine"
It was also found that about 68% of those who reported worsening of symptoms testified that in their opinion the reason for this was the discontinuation of rehabilitation treatments and physical activity.
Among the patients surveyed, those who had good ability and high self-management skills of the disease reported less adverse effects of quarantine on disease status.
"We received reports of an increase in patients' falls, fractures and hospitalizations at the end of the closure, and this is an expression of the deteriorating functional condition caused during the closure days," noted Dr. Yogev-Seligman and Dr. Kafri. "The survey findings indicate the need to develop responses to the needy Parkinson's population For chronic rehabilitative treatment, which will make it possible to maintain the treatment routine even during periods of restriction of leaving home or of social distance. "
Eyal Levy, CEO of the Parkinson's Israel Association: "We recently launched the 'Perkint' - a variety of remote physical activity classes, which allow you to maintain a routine of physical activity that is very necessary for maintaining their health, and remote rehabilitation activities.
"In addition, the association intends to continue to work to thicken the medical staffs who specialize in movement disorders clinics that treat Parkinson's and to open clinics, especially in the periphery, while expanding the basket of medical services, and recognizing physiotherapy treatments and communication clinics as services in the health basket."