Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: November | Volume: 12 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 43-48
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20221107
Awareness About Shoulder Pain and/or Stiffness as an Early Symptom of Parkinson’s Disease among Physiotherapists in India
Dr. Vinnie Varghese Menachery(PT)1, Dr. Jalpa Parikh(PT)2
1,2Department of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences College of Physiotherapy, Gujarat University, Gujarat, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Vinnie Varghese Menachery
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder. Musculoskeletal pain is known to be an associated symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The shoulder joint is found to be more affected according to previous studies. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease worsen as the condition progresses over time and so, awareness about more early symptoms offers an opportunity for early diagnosis and early treatment of the disease, with consequent benefits to the patient’s quality of life and cost savings. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of awareness about this condition amongst physiotherapists in India, so as to avoid misdiagnosis, improper treatment and unrecognized Parkinson’s Disease.
Methodology: A questionnaire of a “Survey about awareness of shoulder pain/ stiffness as an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease” was circulated on online platforms. 209 responses were received by google form, from which 206 responses were accepted in the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and statistical analysis of the obtained data was done.
Result: In this study, results showed that 50.49% of physiotherapists practicing in India are aware of shoulder pain and /or stiffness as an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Conclusion: This study concludes that there is average awareness of shoulder pain and/or stiffness as an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease among physiotherapists in India.
Key words: [Awareness, Early Symptom, Shoulder pain and stiffness, Parkinson’s disease, Physiotherapists, India]