Patterns of physical activity in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

This study aims to objectively quantify and describe the diurnal patterns of physical activity (PA) in people with Parkinson’s disease (pwPD) with mild-moderate disability. Eighteen pwPD wore a tri-axial accelerometer on their nondominant wrist 24/h day for 3 months. Data was processed using three different algorithms previously validated for PD and for healthy older individuals, to calculate daily steps and calculate amount and intensity of PA. The results show that participants tend to perform higher level of PA in the morning time slots and to be more sedentary in afternoon and evening. Such findings might help clinicians in suggesting proper strategies either to increase PA levels or optimally distribute it across the whole day.