Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40389856›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Barriers and strategies affecting the use of assistive devices for falls prevention among people with Parkinson's disease: a qualitative pilot study.

Júlio Belo Fernandes, Josefa Domingos, Sónia Fernandes, Noélia Ferreira, Ana Silva Almeida, Ana Chalaça, Natacha Sousa, Isabel Santos, Andreia Duarte, Catarina Godinho

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Júlio Belo FernandesEgas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, 2829-511, Portugal. juliobelo01@gmail.com.
Josefa DomingosEgas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, 2829-511, Portugal.
Sónia FernandesEgas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, 2829-511, Portugal.
Noélia FerreiraEgas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, 2829-511, Portugal.
Ana Silva AlmeidaDepartment of Nursing, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, 2910-466, Portugal.
Ana ChalaçaDepartment of Nursing, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, 2910-466, Portugal.
Natacha SousaARS LVT, ACES Lisboa Norte, UCC Integrar na Saúde - ECCI Benfica, Lisboa, 1500-534, Portugal.
Isabel SantosARS LVT, ACES Arrábida, UCC Palmela, Palmela, 2950-483, Portugal.
Andreia DuarteDepartment of Nursing, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, 2910-466, Portugal.
Catarina GodinhoEgas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, 2829-511, Portugal.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses, patients experience difficulties with gait and balance, requiring assistive devices to ensure fall prevention and safety. Despite the advantages provided by these aids, many people with PD do not adhere to their use.

objectiveThis study aims to explore the barriers to using assistive devices among people with PD and identify strategies to improve their adherence.

methodsWe used a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2021 to July 2022, with participants selected through convenience sampling. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze data.

resultsNineteen participants were interviewed, with the majority being male (63.2%) and a mean age of 72.3. This research identified several barriers to using assistive devices that were grouped under six broad themes and 14 subthemes. These themes included disease symptoms, physical limitations associated with holding the device, stigma, symbolism of the device, level of involvement of health professionals, and environmental factors. Concerning the strategies to improve adherence, they were grouped into themes that reflect different priority settings in the health sector. At the macro level, participants emphasized the significance of community education and intergenerational contact. At the meso level, participants highlighted the need for support groups, as well as prescription and training provided by health professionals. Finally, at the micro level, participants emphasized the importance of tailored care and shared decision-making.

conclusionThis study's findings offer insights on barriers and strategies reported by people with PD, improving assistive device utilization.

Indexed as

Accidental FallsParkinson DiseasePatient ComplianceSelf-Help DevicesAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsQualitative ResearchAccidental fallsGaitMobility limitationParkinson’s diseasePostural balanceSelf-help devices

Identifiers

PMID40389856
PMCPMC12087147

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.