Examining Loneliness in People With Parkinson Disease Participating in Community-based Exercise

This study determined the prevalence of loneliness in a regional community-based exercise class program for people with Parkinson disease (PwPD) and examined relationships with demographic characteristics, functional independence, functional mobility, and quality of life (QOL).

This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 231 PwPD, all of whom were participating in community-based exercise class programs. Participants completed questionnaires on loneliness (UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale [UTILS]), functional independence (Schwab & England Scale), performance-based measures of functional mobility (Timed Up & Go, 10 Meter Walk Test, 30 Second Sit-to-Stand), and QOL (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8). UTILS scores of ≤ 4 were classified as "non-lonely," and scores > 4 were classified as "lonely."

Participants were, on average, 71.9 (±7.5) years old, 5.4 (±5.4) years since their Parkinson disease diagnosis, had been participating in group exercise classes for 2.3 (±2.4) years, and almost one-third of participants ( n = 76/231, 32.9%) scored in the "lonely" range on the UTILS. There were significant differences between the lonely and non-lonely groups in sex distribution, functional independence, Timed Up & Go, and QOL. Age, functional independence, and loneliness scores accounted for 55.8% of the variance in QOL scores.

In this study, loneliness was present even in PwPD actively engaged with an exercise community. Loneliness among PwPD was also related to functional independence, functional mobility, and QOL. While further study is needed, having rehabilitation clinicians and exercise class instructors screen for loneliness in PwPD may help inform plans of care and recommendations to address loneliness.