Boxing with Parkinson’s Disease: findings from a qualitative study using self-determination theory

Abstract

Purpose

Adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience debilitating symptoms that may be mitigated by boxing. Yet, attrition from boxing programs is problematic. Understanding whether PD-specific boxing programs can enhance motivation to remain physically active is important. This study investigated adults’ experiences within a PD-specific boxing program and explored their perspectives on how the program has influenced physical activity motivational processes using a self-determination theory (SDT) lens.

Methods

Nine adults with PD who took part in the Boxing 4 Health PD-specific boxing program completed face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis yielded five themes: (1) I made an informed decision to participate and it feels good, (2) Boxing helps me stay active and keep moving, (3) To keep me going, the boxing program needs to have variety and allow for input, (4) A program that can be adapted to me is important, and (5) The instructor and the group facilitate my continued participation in the program.

Conclusion

Providing participants with adapted exercises, varied sessions, and opportunities to provide input in a group-based PD-specific boxing program may be conducive to enhancing motivation for physical activity. Further, SDT may be a useful theoretical framework for developing and evaluating PD-specific programs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have many reasons for not engaging in physical activity, including a lack of motivation.

• A group-based PD-specific boxing program may be conducive to increasing motivation for physical activity.

• Professionals should consider: (1) educating adults with PD on the benefits of boxing, (2) offering group-based PD-specific boxing programs that are adaptable, varied, and open to input, and (3) fostering social support and networking opportunities within such programs.

Keywords:

• Parkinsonian disorders
• physical activity
• self-determination theory
• interviews
• thematic analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants who took part in this study. In addition, they express their gratitude to Deeksha Srivastava and Jani Lamarche who helped with the acquisition of the data. The authors did not receive financial support for the research and publication of this article. This manuscript was prepared while the first author held a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Promotion for Cancer Prevention and Survivorship, the second author was supported by an Ontario Graduate Student scholarship, and the third author was supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Training in Research and Clinical Trials in Integrative Oncology, and Alberta Innovates postdoctoral fellowships.

Author contributions

JB (corresponding author) was responsible for the conception and design of the study, oversaw the acquisition of the data, contributed to the interpretation of the data, and drafted the manuscript. JP was in charge of the data analysis and interpretation of the data, helped draft sections of the manuscript, and critically revised the manuscript. AW assisted with the data analysis, contributed to the interpretation of the data, and critically revised the manuscript. MHM contributed to the conception of the study as well as the interpretation of the data, and critically revised the manuscript. JN assisted with participant enrollment and critically revised the manuscript. All authors gave final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest with respect to the research and publication of this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data cannot be shared as the participants were assured that their data would be kept private and confidential to the extent permitted by law and that only the research team would have access to the data.