Enhancing Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Balance and Reaction Time

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the elderly population and can lead to impaired balance, reaction time, and overall quality of life (QoL). Occupational therapy interventions have shown promise in managing the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention on balance and reaction time to enhance the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on various electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Studies published between 2010 and 2022 were included in the review. Inclusion criteria were set for age, clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, MoCA score, and cooperation for participation. Studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria or reported other interventions were excluded. Data from selected studies were analyzed for relevance, appropriateness, clarity, and methodology. Results: Out of the initial 250 potentially relevant articles, 200 were identified as duplicates and removed. Another 25 studies did not meet the inclusion criteria, and 15 studies did not provide sufficient information on the interventions. Eventually, 10 studies were included in this systematic review. All the studies were qualitative in nature and were published between 2010 and 2023. Conclusion: Occupational therapy interventions have shown promising results in enhancing balance, reaction time, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. The review emphasizes the importance of goal-oriented occupational therapy programs to improve the overall well-being of patients with PD. Further research in this area is warranted to strengthen the evidence and guide clinical practice for better management of Parkinson's disease.