Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media

Introduction. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the quality of life of both patients and caregivers is affected. While key issues relating to quality of life may not emerge in conversations with healthcare professionals (HCPs), unguarded social media conversations can provide insight into how people with...

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Main Authors: Philippe Damier, Emily J. Henderson, Jesús Romero-Imbroda, Laura Galimam, Nick Kronfeld, Tobias Warnecke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Parkinson's Disease
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1800567
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author Philippe Damier
Emily J. Henderson
Jesús Romero-Imbroda
Laura Galimam
Nick Kronfeld
Tobias Warnecke
author_facet Philippe Damier
Emily J. Henderson
Jesús Romero-Imbroda
Laura Galimam
Nick Kronfeld
Tobias Warnecke
author_sort Philippe Damier
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the quality of life of both patients and caregivers is affected. While key issues relating to quality of life may not emerge in conversations with healthcare professionals (HCPs), unguarded social media conversations can provide insight into how people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and their caregivers are affected. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative netnographic study of PD conversations posted on social media sites over a 12-month period. Objective. To identify key themes and issues for PwPD. Methods. Using predefined and piloted search terms, we identified 392,962 social media posts (between March 31, 2020, and March 31, 2021, for the UK and France, and between September 30, 2019, and March 31, 2021, for Italy, Spain, and Germany). A random sample of these posts was then analyzed using natural language processing (NLP), and quantitative, qualitative,in-depth contextual analysis was also performed. Results. Key themes that emerged in the PD conversation related to the changing experience of symptoms over time are the physical, emotional, and cognitive impact of symptoms, the management and treatment of PD, disease awareness among the general public, and the caregiver burden. The emotional impact of motor symptoms on PwPD is significant, particularly when symptoms increase and PwPD lose their independence, which may exacerbate existing anxiety and depression. Nonmotor symptoms can also compound the difficulties with managing the physical impact of motor symptoms. The burden of nonmotor symptoms is felt by both PwPD and their caregivers, with the impact of nonmotor symptoms on cognitive processes particularly frustrating for caregivers. The experience of off-time was also featured in the online conversation. Some PwPD believe there is a lack of adequate management from healthcare professionals, who may not appreciate their concerns or take sufficient time to discuss their needs. Conclusion. This study identified key themes that PwPD and their caregivers discuss online. These findings help signpost issues of importance to PwPD and areas in which their care may be improved.
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spelling doaj-art-d756c4b21b7a490993192cd0a04ca8082025-02-03T01:02:23ZengWileyParkinson's Disease2042-00802022-01-01202210.1155/2022/1800567Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social MediaPhilippe Damier0Emily J. Henderson1Jesús Romero-Imbroda2Laura Galimam3Nick Kronfeld4Tobias Warnecke5CHU NantesRoyal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of NeurologyLumanityKyowa Kirin Co.Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation KlinikumIntroduction. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the quality of life of both patients and caregivers is affected. While key issues relating to quality of life may not emerge in conversations with healthcare professionals (HCPs), unguarded social media conversations can provide insight into how people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and their caregivers are affected. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative netnographic study of PD conversations posted on social media sites over a 12-month period. Objective. To identify key themes and issues for PwPD. Methods. Using predefined and piloted search terms, we identified 392,962 social media posts (between March 31, 2020, and March 31, 2021, for the UK and France, and between September 30, 2019, and March 31, 2021, for Italy, Spain, and Germany). A random sample of these posts was then analyzed using natural language processing (NLP), and quantitative, qualitative,in-depth contextual analysis was also performed. Results. Key themes that emerged in the PD conversation related to the changing experience of symptoms over time are the physical, emotional, and cognitive impact of symptoms, the management and treatment of PD, disease awareness among the general public, and the caregiver burden. The emotional impact of motor symptoms on PwPD is significant, particularly when symptoms increase and PwPD lose their independence, which may exacerbate existing anxiety and depression. Nonmotor symptoms can also compound the difficulties with managing the physical impact of motor symptoms. The burden of nonmotor symptoms is felt by both PwPD and their caregivers, with the impact of nonmotor symptoms on cognitive processes particularly frustrating for caregivers. The experience of off-time was also featured in the online conversation. Some PwPD believe there is a lack of adequate management from healthcare professionals, who may not appreciate their concerns or take sufficient time to discuss their needs. Conclusion. This study identified key themes that PwPD and their caregivers discuss online. These findings help signpost issues of importance to PwPD and areas in which their care may be improved.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1800567
spellingShingle Philippe Damier
Emily J. Henderson
Jesús Romero-Imbroda
Laura Galimam
Nick Kronfeld
Tobias Warnecke
Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
Parkinson's Disease
title Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
title_full Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
title_fullStr Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
title_short Impact of Off-Time on Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Patients and Their Caregivers: Insights from Social Media
title_sort impact of off time on quality of life in parkinson s patients and their caregivers insights from social media
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/1800567
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