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The influence of the disease and treatment on the life of patients with Parkinson’s disease

Kuipers, R. (2012) The influence of the disease and treatment on the life of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

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Abstract:Objective: As the Dutch society is ageing the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease also will rise in the Netherlands. There is still no cure for Parkinson’s disease and known treatments are focusing on suppressing the symptoms and improving the Health Related Quality of Life of the patient. The objective is to research the influence of the Parkinson’s disease, symptoms and the treatment on the life of the patient from his or hers perspective. The focus will lie on the influence of the symptoms, the positive and negative treatment outcomes and treatment characteristic’s on the patient’s life. Methods: Parkinson’s disease patients were recruited from the area of Enschede and a total of seventeen were included in the research. Quantitative data is gathered with the use of (modified) HRQoL questionnaires and qualitative data with the use of semi-structured interviews. Results: The quantitative results showed that relative the most respondents reported problems on the domains: cognitions, communication and bodily discomfort. Absolutely most problems were found with daily tasks, communication, and mobility. The qualitative results from the interviews showed that the greatest influence on their life were problems on the domains cognitions and communication. Problems caused by physical symptoms or disabilities had a smaller influence in contrast with what the quantitative data would suppose. The respondents diluted the influence of emotions, depression in particular, during the interviews. Fear of the future and disease progression was of influence of a substantial part of the respondents. This resulted in postponing adjustment of the treatment to the disease progression. Conclusion: In daily life PD symptoms cause disabilities or problems performing normal tasks. However the respondents focus more on abilities as disabilities. The greatest influence on the life of the patient was the influence of the disease symptoms and adverse effects on the dimensions cognitions and communication and the fear of progression of the symptoms.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Health Sciences MSc (66851)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/62544
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