Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement and coordination.

One of the primary symptoms of this disorder is the gradual loss of physical ability, which can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks and maintain their quality of life. Hence, an early diagnosis along with the appropriate management strategies is crucial to optimise recovery and improve the overall health outcomes for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressively debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects various parts of the brain.

The disease is characterised by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which leads to the decrease of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The symptomatology seen in Parkinson’s Disease can be explained by the reduction in dopamine levels in the brain, which results in the following manifestations:.

Bradykinesia or slowness of movement
Resting tremor
Muscle Rigidity
Postural instability

Role of Physiotherapy in Parkinson’s Disease Management

Physiotherapy has been recognised as an essential intervention in the management of Parkinson’s disease.

Physiotherapeutic approaches have been shown to help reduce symptoms, improve overall mobility, and enhance quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Tailored physiotherapeutic approaches play a vital role in optimising recovery in Parkinson’s disease by addressing individual needs, mobility status, and cognitive function.

Approaches used in Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Physiotherapists can use different approaches depending on the individual’s severity and condition.

Exercise-based Approach

Exercise-based approaches aim to improve coordination, flexibility, and strength.

Physiotherapists develop programs tailored to the individual to encourage regular exercise that can help to reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve overall physical function.

Cue-based Approach

Cue-based approach uses visual, auditory, or tactile cues to improve patients’ motor function. This approach uses informative cues like tapping on the shoulder, stepping over obstacles, and auditory cues to enhance movement performance.

Task-oriented Approach

The task-oriented approach provides activities that are meaningful and relevant to the patient.

The goal is to improve the patients’ perception of their abilities and regain confidence in their ability to perform physical tasks such as cooking, gardening, and cleaning.

Balance Training

Persons with Parkinson’s disease often experience balance impairments due to their instability. Hence, a balance training program is essential for individuals with Parkinson’s disease to enhance balance control and reduce the risk of falls.

This training can include strength training, visual, and sensory feedback training.

Walking Training and Gait

One of the common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is gait dysfunction. Physiotherapy can include a specific training program to improve walking, decrease the risk of fall, and increase the independence of the patient.

The Benefits and Impact of Tailored Physiotherapeutic Approach to Parkinson’s Disease

The tailored physiotherapeutic approach has numerous benefits for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

Not only can tailored physiotherapy help to improve overall mobility and function, but it can also help with the reduction of symptoms, minimise disease progression, and improve the quality of life of patients. It also improves independence and reduces the risk of falls, thus improving safety outcomes. Studies have shown that tailored physiotherapy can improve the strength of muscle, balance, endurance, coordination, and quality of life.

The Role of the Physiotherapist

The Physiotherapist plays an essential role in optimising recovery in Parkinson’s disease.

The physiotherapist assesses and tailors the physiotherapy interventions to suit the patient’s individual needs and adjust the interventions frequently depending on the patient’s progress and treatment outcomes. Further, physiotherapists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of; neurologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other health professionals to provide a holistic approach to Parkinson’s Disease management.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease can have a considerable impact on an individual’s quality of life, but the management of the disease can improve the individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living.

Through the use of tailored physiotherapeutic approaches, individuals living with Parkinson’s disease can obtain many benefits to optimise their recovery, improve mobility, and overall wellbeing. Physiotherapy is an essential component of the multidisciplinary team approach and should be included in the management of Parkinson’s disease.