Enablers to Exercise Participation in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Health Professional Perspectives

Background: People living with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) can experience considerable difficulties with movement, walking, balance, and oculomotor control. The role of exercises and physical activities in mitigating the motor and non-motor symptoms of PSP remains uncertain. Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the perspectives and beliefs of health professionals about the benefits, enablers, and barriers to participation in exercise and physical activity across the course of disease progression of PSP. Methods: Qualitative methods, within a phenomenological framework, were used to obtain nursing and allied health professional perspectives and recommendations. Focus group and in-depth interview questions were derived from a systematic review on exercise for PSP. Expert opinions also guided the interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and de-identified. Two researchers independently conducted a thematic analysis. Results: Nineteen health professionals participated from the disciplines of nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology. Four main themes emerged: (i) exercise and physical activities are important for living well with PSP; (ii) provision of information about the benefits of exercise and physical activities facilitates uptake; (iii) interdisciplinary teams work together to improve outcomes; and (iv) care partners can assist with the implementation of exercise and physical activities. Conclusion: Health professionals advocated physical therapies for people living with PSP. The expectation is that structured exercises and physical activities can help to optimize health and well-being, enabling people to continue to participate in social roles. The actual merits of such interventions must now be tested in large-scale controlled clinical trials.