Behavioural Change Techniques for Physical Activity and Exercise Adherence Among People With Parkinson's

Many people with Parkinson\'s (PwP) experience many barriers to reaching the recommended dosage of exercise. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of behavioural change support techniques delivered alongside an exercise programme to improve physical activity, function, to inform a future pilot randomised controlled trial. Twenty participants with Parkinson\'s will be allocated to the intervention (n=10) or the control group (n=10). Both groups will receive usual care, which includes a weekly program of a multidisciplinary education, a supervised exercise class and a prescribed home exercise program. The intervention group will receive additional behavioural change techniques to help them adhere to the exercises, targeting behaviour regulation, belief about capabilities and social influences. Outcomes will measure how well people were able to stay in the programme, and their physical function after the 12 week programme. Surveys will be used to compare experiences and satisfaction between groups. Exit interviews will be completed with the intervention group only, exploring their experience of the behavioural change techniques. Discussion: The results will help inform a future pilot randomised controlled trial, based on the intervention acceptability, consent rate, maintenance, and protocol integrity.