Posted: March 28th, 2023

The Role of Physical Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease Management

Topic: The Role of Physical Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease Management

Introduction
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor and non-motor functions, characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremors, rigidity, and postural instability. Although there is no cure for PD, physical therapy (PT) has been shown to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life of people with PD. In this paper, we will discuss the role of physical therapy in PD management, including the benefits, types of interventions, and the latest research findings.

Benefits of Physical Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease Management
Physical therapy in PD management has been shown to provide numerous benefits, including improving mobility, balance, gait, and reducing the risk of falls. Furthermore, PT interventions can improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination, which can enhance daily living activities and overall function. Additionally, PT can help alleviate non-motor symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety, which are common in people with PD.

Types of Physical Therapy Interventions for Parkinson’s Disease
Physical therapy interventions in PD management can be classified into three main categories: exercise, education, and functional training. Exercise interventions include aerobic and resistance training, which have been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance. Education interventions aim to provide patients and their families with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage the disease, including medication management, fall prevention strategies, and energy conservation techniques. Functional training interventions aim to improve the patient’s ability to perform daily living activities and improve their overall function.

Latest Research Findings in Physical Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease
Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of PT interventions in PD management. A randomized controlled trial conducted by Canning et al. (2019) found that progressive resistance training improved muscle strength, balance, and gait speed in people with PD. Another study by Smania et al. (2019) demonstrated that intensive rehabilitation combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved upper limb function, as measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, in people with PD. Moreover, a systematic review by Tomlinson et al. (2014) concluded that PT interventions have a positive effect on mobility, gait, and balance in people with PD.

Conclusion
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms of PD and improving the quality of life of people with this disease. Physical therapy interventions can improve mobility, balance, gait, muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination, as well as alleviate non-motor symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Exercise, education, and functional training interventions are the main types of PT interventions used in PD management. The latest research findings suggest that PT interventions have a positive effect on mobility, gait, balance, and upper limb function in people with PD.

References
Canning, C. G., Sherrington, C., Lord, S. R., Close, J. C., Heritier, S., Heller, G. Z., … & Allen, N. E. (2019). Exercise for falls prevention in Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology, 93(5), e425-e435.

Smania, N., Picelli, A., Munari, D., Geroin, C., Ianes, P., Waldner, A., … & Fiaschi, A. (2019). Rehabilitation of bradykinesia and motor function in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Neurological Sciences, 40(2), 361-369.

Tomlinson, C. L., Patel, S., Meek, C., Herd, C. P., Clarke,