Computer uses and difficulties in Parkinson's disease

Thirty five PD pts with a long experience in computer operation were included in the study. Their mean age was 59.5 (SD 8.27) years. Most of them were in Hoehn and Yahr stage II. PD pts uses, habits, and difficulties with the computer were explored by means of a structured interview which provided information in the form of yes/no answers to questions relevant to a wide range of usual computer uses and applications as well as difficutlties in performing various tasks relevant to computer operation. Two quantitative scales one referring to the contribution of the computer in social life, every day activities, emotional well-being (total score: 9=not important/45-very important) and the other exploring the disease impact on various aspects of computer operation (total score: 11=no effect/55 maximum effect) were also employed