RESUMEN
Aim: This study investigates perspectives on computer-based assessments among elderly individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) in India for more efficient usability of digital assessments for this population. Materials & methods: Content analysis was conducted on 30 participants diagnosed with PD, who were interviewed for their preferences and perspectives on integrating technology in healthcare assessments. Results: Elderly individuals with PD in India favored paper-pencil assessments over computer-based alternatives due to limited technological familiarity, resistance to change, lack of trust in healthcare technology and PD-related motor challenges. Conclusion: Elderly patients with Parkinson's in India indicated their discomfort with computer-based based cognitive assessment. Addressing barriers toward digital assessments in India is crucial for their successful implementation in healthcare.
Asunto(s)
Disfunción Cognitiva , Enfermedad de Parkinson , Humanos , Anciano , Enfermedad de Parkinson/complicaciones , Enfermedad de Parkinson/diagnóstico , Enfermedad de Parkinson/psicología , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Disfunción Cognitiva/diagnóstico , Disfunción Cognitiva/etiologíaRESUMEN
Attention switching is involved in postural adjustments for gait. A deficit in attention switching was expected among patients having Parkinson's disease and experiencing freezing. There was a deficit in attention switching abilities among the patients of Parkinson's disease, having episodes of freezing of gait. The task accuracy and reaction time of the freezing group was significantly reduced compared to the non-freezing group having Parkinson's disease and healthy control group on total AST task performance, congruent and incongruent trials. The non-freezing group with Parkinson's disease was also slower than the healthy control group, but its accuracy was not affected. The results suggest that patients with freezing of gait experienced a stronger deficit in attention-switching than the non-freezing group of Parkinson's disease. This attention switching deficit among freezers may imply inappropriate allocation of attention for postural responses required for stepping and resulting in freezing. Also, the non-freezing group may have prioritized accuracy over time as a compensatory strategy that may be slowing their gait but prevents freezing.