Objective: The aim of the study was to assess participant’s experiences, satisfaction, and safety of a sport-based intervention (Ping pong combined with PD-specific exercise).

Background: Ping pong has the potential to enhance physical activity, muscle strength, and overall health among older adults [1]. Combining such sport-based interventions with PD-specific exercise activity may be a new potential means to improve physical capacity and wellbeing in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there are uncertainties about the patient´s experiences and safety.

Method: People with PD were invited to participate in a weekly Ping Pong program at the Parkinson Association, funded through a grant from the European Parkinson disease Association. The program consisted of a 45-minute amplitude-based warm-up exercise activity, 2 hours of 10 min rotations of playing ping pong, and 15 min cooldown. At 4 months, participants completed a questionnaire evaluating: (1) satisfaction; (2) perceived benefit; (3) perceived barriers and facilitators; (4) adverse events; (5) interest in continuing; and (6) if they would recommend it. The study was approved by the scientific committee (ID: 48/21.22) and received ethical approval (ID: 1068/22) from Egas Moniz, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior.

Results: Eight participants diagnosed with PD (6 men), mean age of 64,3±8,55 years (range: 49-74), average time of disease of 10,6±6,25 years, Hoehn & Yahr I-III, and medically stable were included. Sixteen 3-hour weekly sessions were undertaken over 4 months. At follow-up, participants were “very satisfied” (37.5%) or “satisfied” (62.5%) with the program. Patients had favorable perceived benefits (83% very useful; 17% moderately useful) and considered the exercise warm-up and cooldown as extremely useful (87,5%). Main facilitators for participation: feeling motivated to exchange experiences with others with PD, and perceiving benefits. Main barriers for participation: medical appointments and unexpected medical problems. All participants completed the study with no major adverse events. All were willing to repeat the program and would recommend it.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the combination of PD-specific exercise with playing ping pong may be a valuable and useful sport-based intervention for people with PD.

References: [1] Naderi A, Degens H, Rezvani MH, Shaabani F. A retrospective comparison of physical health in regular recreational table tennis participants and sedentary elderly men. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2018 Jun 1;18(2):200-207. PMID: 29855442; PMCID: PMC6016501.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/ping-pong-as-a-sport-based-intervention-to-increase-physical-activity-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease/