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Assistive devices identified as most useful for people with Parkinson's disease - a patient-centered survey
Hollie Adams1, Charles Babbush2, Camilla Kilbane1,3
1Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States.
Objective:
This study aimed to identify everyday assistive devices perceived as most useful by people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) and their caregivers.
Methods:
A 45-item web-based survey was distributed through the Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance website and an online educational event. The survey included four respondent-characteristic items, ratings of 40 assistive devices using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "not useful" to "very useful," and one free-response item.
Results:
A total of 293 online surveys were completed. The five devices with the highest percentages of "very useful" ratings were grab bars for shower (80%), grab bars (71%), electric toothbrushes (63%), jar openers (54%), and grabber tools (43%).
Conclusions:
Numerous assistive devices are available to make activities of daily living easier for PwP. Identifying which devices PwP and caregivers perceive as most useful may help clinicians prioritize practical recommendations and support greater independence in daily activities.