No abstract

Human ageing is characterized -among other factors -by limitations in Activities of Daily Life (ADLs), especially because of the impaired motor and biomechanical functioning. Due to this scenario, the manipulation of some artifacts, such as garments and their fastenings (buttons, zippers), can increase the level of difficulties to perform dressing and undressing activities. In the case of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), the current models of clothing and fastenings may lead to dissatisfaction, embarrassment or even full inability to use and complete dressing and undressing activities, compromising independence. Clothing are extensions of the body, when these are associated with physical, mental and social human's well-being. Its morphological and functional aspects -including the application of fastenings -can lead to the promotion of physical and mental health, when developed from ergonomic and usability points of view. Thus, the objective of this mini-review was to investigate the demands on the dressing and undressing activities performed by older adults with PD; and to understand how this subject is addressed in health and design studies. It was identified that the problem is a reality and that understanding the limitations found in literature can be an exceptional alternative to clothing design for a highest level of usability for users. Thus, new research approaches are proposed, especially those of exploratory and applied character, that investigate the clothing usability by older adults and, consequently, the independence promotion of people with PD in their ADLs.

BACKGROUND: Stay active is a good strategy to mitigate the negative effects of confinement in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Synchronous (full-time class interaction) and asynchronous (without the live presence of the healthcare professional) exercises are two strategies to avoid the worsening of PD. AIM: To investigate the effect of the synchronous and asynchronous exercise on motor and non-motor symptoms in people with PD during the pandemic lockdown. METHOD: Fifty-eight people with PD responded to an online survey and were divided into synchronous, asynchronous, and no-exercise groups. The participants responded to questions regarding motor and non-motor symptoms, besides the questionnaire of quality of life, physical activity, anxiety and depression, and sleep quality. RESULTS: Synchronous group presents higher amounts of physical activity than the asynchronous and no-exercise groups. Also, the synchronous group presented lower anxiety symptoms, while the asynchronous group presented lower depression symptoms compared with the no-exercise group. Worse motor symptoms were presented by the three groups. CONCLUSION: Stay active during the pandemic lockdown, is beneficial to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in people with PD. This population should be encouraged to perform synchronous classes to perform greater amounts of physical activity, which in the long-term could produce greater benefits.