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2026, Vol: 51, Issue: 1
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Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia

Wedad S Alhadithi, Abdul Rahim Shaik, Ajyal Almutairi, Reeham Jahaz Almutairi, Anas M. Al-hafidh.


Abstract
Objective: To assess the current practices, knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers among physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia regarding exercise and physical activity (PA) promotion for newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.
Methodology: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among licensed physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia working in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The survey form was distributed via social media platforms and included 33 items across four sections: demographics, PA education practices, perspectives on exercise in PD, and views on educational content.
Results: A total of 374 physiotherapists responded. While most reported a positive attitude toward promoting PA, only 28.1% always advised patients on activity type and frequency, and 54.3% did not provide written exercise guidance.
Conclusion: Despite high awareness of the benefits of exercise in PD, inconsistencies persist in its promotion among Saudi physiotherapists. There is a need for standardized educational guidelines and targeted training programs to ensure early and effective integration of exercise into PD care plans.

Key words: Parkinson’s disease, physiotherapy, exercise, physical activity, current practice, perceived barriers.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alhadithi WS, Shaik AR, Almutairi A, Almutairi RJ, Al-hafidh AM. Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. RMJ. 2026; 51(1): 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433

Web Style

Alhadithi WS, Shaik AR, Almutairi A, Almutairi RJ, Al-hafidh AM. Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=271849 [Access: February 21, 2026]. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alhadithi WS, Shaik AR, Almutairi A, Almutairi RJ, Al-hafidh AM. Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. RMJ. 2026; 51(1): 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alhadithi WS, Shaik AR, Almutairi A, Almutairi RJ, Al-hafidh AM. Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. RMJ. (2026), [cited February 21, 2026]; 51(1): 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


Harvard Style

Alhadithi, W. S., Shaik, . A. R., Almutairi, . A., Almutairi, . R. J. & Al-hafidh, . A. M. (2026) Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. RMJ, 51 (1), 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


Turabian Style

Alhadithi, Wedad S, Abdul Rahim Shaik, Ajyal Almutairi, Reeham Jahaz Almutairi, and Anas M. Al-hafidh. 2026. Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (1), 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


Chicago Style

Alhadithi, Wedad S, Abdul Rahim Shaik, Ajyal Almutairi, Reeham Jahaz Almutairi, and Anas M. Al-hafidh. "Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alhadithi, Wedad S, Abdul Rahim Shaik, Ajyal Almutairi, Reeham Jahaz Almutairi, and Anas M. Al-hafidh. "Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia." Rawal Medical Journal 51.1 (2026), 82-86. Print. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alhadithi, W. S., Shaik, . A. R., Almutairi, . A., Almutairi, . R. J. & Al-hafidh, . A. M. (2026) Exercise and physical activity promotion for patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease: a survey evaluating current practice and the perspectives of physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (1), 82-86. doi:10.5455/rmj.20250719033433


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