Factors supporting self-management in Parkinson's disease: implications for nursing practice

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Chronic Illness Management
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurological condition impacting self-identity and management confidence.
• Effective self-management in PD can reduce healthcare costs and disease complications.
• Previous research indicated links between self-management, self-efficacy, and sense of coherence in other chronic illnesses, but not specifically in PD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with improved self-management in individuals with moderate to severe Parkinson's disease after an acute illness.
• To explore the role of self-efficacy and sense of coherence in Parkinson's disease self-management.
• To understand the influence of informal support on self-management in Parkinson's disease.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, descriptive study involving 75 individuals with Parkinson's disease (age >55).
• Data collected twice: within one week of an acute event and one month later.
• Questionnaires assessed self-rated health, self-efficacy, sense of coherence, symptom monitoring, medication adherence, and general self-management.

Main Results:

• Key predictors of better self-management included no hospitalization in the prior six months, frequent symptom checking, and higher self-efficacy.
• Sense of coherence influenced self-management indirectly through self-efficacy.
• Informal support positively impacted self-efficacy and sense of coherence.

Conclusions:

• Informal support is vital for maintaining self-efficacy and sense of coherence, thereby enhancing self-management in Parkinson's disease.
• Nurses can promote self-management by encouraging support group participation, teaching symptom monitoring, and fostering self-efficacy and sense of coherence.
• These self-management attributes are modifiable, presenting opportunities for nursing interventions.