Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BackgroundParkinson disease (PD) presents motor and nonmotor challenges that significantly affect quality of life. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising approach to deliver interventions, including exercise performed through remote equipment (e-Exercise), cognitive behavior...

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Main Authors: Jiejie Dou, Junyu Wang, Xianqi Gao, Guotuan Wang, Ying Bai, Yixin Liang, Kunyi Yang, Yong Yang, Lin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71169
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author Jiejie Dou
Junyu Wang
Xianqi Gao
Guotuan Wang
Ying Bai
Yixin Liang
Kunyi Yang
Yong Yang
Lin Zhang
author_facet Jiejie Dou
Junyu Wang
Xianqi Gao
Guotuan Wang
Ying Bai
Yixin Liang
Kunyi Yang
Yong Yang
Lin Zhang
author_sort Jiejie Dou
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundParkinson disease (PD) presents motor and nonmotor challenges that significantly affect quality of life. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising approach to deliver interventions, including exercise performed through remote equipment (e-Exercise), cognitive behavioral training sessions conducted remotely (e-Cognitive), and consultations conducted through remote devices (e-Visits), yet their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. ObjectiveThis paper aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions on motor and nonmotor outcomes in PD and compare the efficacy of e-Exercise, e-Cognitive, and e-Visits. MethodsA systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through November 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing telemedicine interventions with usual care were included. Outcomes assessed included total motor symptoms, quality of life, cognitive function, depressive and anxiety symptoms, fear of falling, 6-minute walk test, walking velocity, balance ability, and timed up and go. Two investigators independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Data synthesis included (1) pairwise meta-analyses using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and mean differences; and (2) Bayesian network meta-analysis integrating direct and indirect comparisons to rank intervention efficacy, with transitivity and inconsistency evaluated. Evidence quality was graded using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), incorporating risk of bias, heterogeneity (I²>50% indicating substantial heterogeneity), precision, and publication bias (Egger test). Statistical heterogeneity was quantified by τ² and I². ResultsA total of 23 studies involving 1330 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analyses demonstrated that telemedicine significantly improved total motor symptoms (SMD=–0.61, 95% CI –1.19 to –0.4), cognitive function (SMD=0.58, 95% CI 0.15-1.01), depressive symptoms (SMD=–0.46, 95% CI –0.88 to –0.04), anxiety symptoms (SMD=–0.57, 95% CI –1.10 to –0.03), fear of falling (SMD=–0.48, 95% CI –0.77 to –0.19), and 6-minute walk test performance (mean difference=18.98, 95% CI 16.06-21.90 meters). The network meta-analysis revealed that e-Exercise was most effective for improving total motor symptoms (SMD=–1.01, 95% credible interval [CrI] –1.96 to –0.05) and 6-minute walk test performance. e-Cognitive was most effective for enhancing quality of life (SMD=0.39, 95% CrI 0.06-0.73) and cognitive function (SMD=1.02, 95% CrI 0.38-1.66), and reducing depressive (SMD=–1.28, 95% CrI –1.61 to –0.96) and anxiety symptoms (SMD=–1.07, 95% CrI –1.40 to –0.75). e-Visits had a limited impact across outcomes. Evidence quality was moderate or high for motor symptoms, quality of life, and depression, but low or very low for other outcomes. ConclusionsTelemedicine is effective for improving motor and nonmotor outcomes in PD. e-Exercise is optimal for motor function and physical performance, while e-Cognitive is most effective for psychological and cognitive challenges. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring telemedicine programs to address specific therapeutic needs in PD management. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42024628687; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024628687
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spelling doaj-art-56ea5c8e6cd645ae81f60845781ef2482025-08-20T03:19:17ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-06-0127e7116910.2196/71169Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-AnalysisJiejie Douhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0300-7358Junyu Wanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2263-9879Xianqi Gaohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7271-5919Guotuan Wanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9213-3155Ying Baihttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-8221-755XYixin Lianghttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-9946-8070Kunyi Yanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-5465-570XYong Yanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8598-5379Lin Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-4730-3570 BackgroundParkinson disease (PD) presents motor and nonmotor challenges that significantly affect quality of life. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising approach to deliver interventions, including exercise performed through remote equipment (e-Exercise), cognitive behavioral training sessions conducted remotely (e-Cognitive), and consultations conducted through remote devices (e-Visits), yet their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. ObjectiveThis paper aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions on motor and nonmotor outcomes in PD and compare the efficacy of e-Exercise, e-Cognitive, and e-Visits. MethodsA systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through November 2024. Randomized controlled trials comparing telemedicine interventions with usual care were included. Outcomes assessed included total motor symptoms, quality of life, cognitive function, depressive and anxiety symptoms, fear of falling, 6-minute walk test, walking velocity, balance ability, and timed up and go. Two investigators independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Data synthesis included (1) pairwise meta-analyses using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and mean differences; and (2) Bayesian network meta-analysis integrating direct and indirect comparisons to rank intervention efficacy, with transitivity and inconsistency evaluated. Evidence quality was graded using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), incorporating risk of bias, heterogeneity (I²>50% indicating substantial heterogeneity), precision, and publication bias (Egger test). Statistical heterogeneity was quantified by τ² and I². ResultsA total of 23 studies involving 1330 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analyses demonstrated that telemedicine significantly improved total motor symptoms (SMD=–0.61, 95% CI –1.19 to –0.4), cognitive function (SMD=0.58, 95% CI 0.15-1.01), depressive symptoms (SMD=–0.46, 95% CI –0.88 to –0.04), anxiety symptoms (SMD=–0.57, 95% CI –1.10 to –0.03), fear of falling (SMD=–0.48, 95% CI –0.77 to –0.19), and 6-minute walk test performance (mean difference=18.98, 95% CI 16.06-21.90 meters). The network meta-analysis revealed that e-Exercise was most effective for improving total motor symptoms (SMD=–1.01, 95% credible interval [CrI] –1.96 to –0.05) and 6-minute walk test performance. e-Cognitive was most effective for enhancing quality of life (SMD=0.39, 95% CrI 0.06-0.73) and cognitive function (SMD=1.02, 95% CrI 0.38-1.66), and reducing depressive (SMD=–1.28, 95% CrI –1.61 to –0.96) and anxiety symptoms (SMD=–1.07, 95% CrI –1.40 to –0.75). e-Visits had a limited impact across outcomes. Evidence quality was moderate or high for motor symptoms, quality of life, and depression, but low or very low for other outcomes. ConclusionsTelemedicine is effective for improving motor and nonmotor outcomes in PD. e-Exercise is optimal for motor function and physical performance, while e-Cognitive is most effective for psychological and cognitive challenges. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring telemedicine programs to address specific therapeutic needs in PD management. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42024628687; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024628687https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71169
spellingShingle Jiejie Dou
Junyu Wang
Xianqi Gao
Guotuan Wang
Ying Bai
Yixin Liang
Kunyi Yang
Yong Yang
Lin Zhang
Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Journal of Medical Internet Research
title Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
title_full Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
title_short Effectiveness of Telemedicine Interventions on Motor and Nonmotor Outcomes in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
title_sort effectiveness of telemedicine interventions on motor and nonmotor outcomes in parkinson disease systematic review and network meta analysis
url https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71169
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