Brain Games For Parkinson Patients

Deep Brain Stimulation: A Paradigm Shifting Approach To Treat Parkinsons Disease

• Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

Parkinson disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder classically characterized by slowed voluntary movements, resting tremor, muscle rigidity, and impaired gait and balance. Medical treatment is highly successful early on, though the majority of people experience significant complications in later stages. In advanced PD, when medications no longer adequately control motor symptoms, deep brain stimulation offers a powerful therapeutic alternative. DBS involves the surgical implantation of one or more electrodes into specific areas of the brain, which modulate or disrupt abnormal patterns of neural signaling within the targeted region. Outcomes are often dramatic following DBS, with improvements in motor function and reductions motor complications having been repeatedly demonstrated. Given such robust responses, emerging indications for DBS are being investigated. In parallel with expansions of therapeutic scope, advancements within the areas of neurosurgical technique and the precision of stimulation delivery have recently broadened as well. This review focuses on the revolutionary addition of DBS to the therapeutic armamentarium for PD, and summarizes the technological advancements in the areas of neuroimaging and biomedical engineering intended to improve targeting, programming, and overall management.

Game Play Improves Quality Of Life And Social Interactions

As the disorder progresses, your affected loved one may not have the memory and cognitive skills that they once had. But, you feel that it is still important to give them a better quality of life by playing games with them as a way to interact with them, right? Playing board games like these as an activity help caregivers entertain them while also providing important social interactions.

Activities From The Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Program

Activity 1: Differences and Similarities

How can you group each of the images down below in each set. Think about the differences and similarities. Can you find more than one association between them? Write down your categories or print out the images and create physical groups!

Activity 2: Sports

1) Do you like to watch sports? Why or why not?2) How do you think sports have changed throughout the years?3) Did you play any sports in your childhood?a. What is a memory of playing a sport in your past?Answers: 1) Basketball, 2) Soccer, 3) Tennis, 4) Boxing, 5) Baseball, 6) Football, 7) Hockey, 8) Golf, 9) Bowling

Activity 3: Synonyms

1. What strategies did you use to complete this activity?2. Which terms were easier for you to think of words with the same meaning?a. Why do you think that?3. Set a timer for 60 seconds and try this activity with new words. Did you think of more or less words?

Activity 4: Music MemoryMay 22, 1965 BeatlesTicket To Ride single hits #1!

Listen to the song and discuss the questions below:1. Did you enjoy listening to the Beatles? If so, what did you like about them?2. What are your favorite songs from the Beatles?3. Do these songs bring back any specific memories?4. Why do you think the Beatles were so famous?

Activity 5: Fashion Trends

Activity 6: Toys

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Should You Play Games By Yourself Or With Another Person Or Does It Matter

While the research doesnt say whether solo or multiperson games are better for dementia, we do know that different types of games offer different cognitive benefits.

For example, crossword puzzles are generally played alone and can be great for language and attention. But board games can also enhance these skills, and playing with others provides socialization and communication skills.

Tell Us A Bit About Yourself

My name is Lori DePorter and I live with my husband Mike in Pennsylvania, US. My Parkinsons was discovered by accident in 2014, and I was diagnosed at age 45. Like others, I grieved the life I had expected to have. But eventually you accept that you have to play the hand youve been dealt, including the jokers.

I made it my mission to empower others with the condition. Eight years later, I am now a writer, a Rock Steady Boxing coach and a personal trainer. In my spare time, Mike and I enjoy ballroom dancing and kayaking, and we also play board games and do jigsaw puzzles together.

Lori DePorter. Credit: Trish McComb-Lloyd.

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How Do I Get Started

The following may help you to begin exploring the opportunities art can bring.

• Experiment with a variety of different types of art and find those which most stimulate and uplift you and aid movement. Be patient if this takes time.
• Visit local groups, especially those run by trained art therapists.
• Go to art galleries or other public shows to explore new ideas and build on your experiences.
• Build up a picture or photo album of paintings and other art that inspires you and turn to this when you need inspiration or motivation.
• Practice at home any techniques or activities you have learned in groups. Many have a carry over effect so the benefits can be felt beyond the period of activity.

Train Your Brain Attention Games

Train your brain is a must-have for all patients who have symptoms of Parkinsons disease. It helps the patients in stimulating their widespread attention and trains them into increasing their concentration levels. It provides a fun way to train your brain and is suitable for patients with memory issues too. The most important and valuable aspect of the game is that it includes a variety of things such as puzzles, labyrinths, word search, object finders, and others. Apart from this, the app also helps the patients in increasing their visual association, fine motor skills, and visual orientation. The most comforting factor of the gaming app is that it is available in more than five languages and has a simple interface which means that it boosts the attention and overall focus of the user.

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Small Game Pieces: Good Or Bad

There have been mixed feelings about whether it is a good to have seniors with dementia play board games that have small parts.

One on side of the argument, people state that the number of small parts might overwhelm them. Many of these people may also suffer from other ailments such as arthritis and Parkinsons disease which may make it difficult or impossible to pick up and put down small pieces. For these people, games such as Battleship or Mousetrap would be out of the question. They would also frown on Monopoly because of the sheer amount of small pieces that can be on the board at any one time.

In contrast, many people argue that manipulating small pieces frequently is exactly what is needed for good hand/eye coordination. Also, this may improve their cognitive functions by performing small tasks. Rolling dice, moving a game piece, or spinning a wheel may actually help them. Each action that they are performing is a lesson in trying to strengthen their cognitive ability to follow directions and instructions.

It is important for your loved one to still feel a sense of independence and a sense of self-worth. Allow them to manipulate their own game pieces. Let them help to set up board games that have many small pieces. You are showing that you believe in their ability to assist you. This building of self-worth that can help to give some dementia patients their dignity back.

Art Therapy And Parkinsons

Art can encourage a previously hidden creative streak in response to the changes Parkinsons brings to life. The creative process is therapeutic and liberating, and the knowledge that an art project is there to return to can be encouraging and motivating. Self-expression can also help with depression and can rekindle motivation in other aspects of life.

Art therapy seems to help by working on the subconscious, reducing stress and releasing frustration while stimulating the imagination and promoting a sense of inner peace. Both therapists and participants say that when absorbed in the art-making process, symptoms tend to subside. One person with Parkinsons said, When I am painting I forget about Parkinsons, and it forgets about me.

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Doing Their Old Occupation

I went to a symposium on Dementia and one of the speakers told us how they had set up an office at the adult memory care center so the patient could go to work. What a great idea!

Come tax time, I have my Mom check over my tax documents before I take them into the accountant .

Being able to do something well is fun for anyone and since they live in the past sometimes their work is easier to do than all the fun activities we can come up with! Their long term memories kick in and they feel confident again.

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Getting Dressed With Parkinsons Disease

• Get dressed while sitting in a chair that has armrests this will help you keep your balance.
• Roll from side to side to get pants over your hips. You can do this while sitting in a chair or lying down on your bed.
• Wear clothes that are loose fitting and have elastic waistbands.
• Choose wrap-around clothing instead of the pullover type. Also choose clothing that opens in the front, not the back so you dont have to reach behind you.
• Wear clothing with large, flat buttons, zippers, or Velcro closures.
• Use a button hook to button clothing.
• Use a dressing stick if you have shoulder weakness to get your coat or shirt on or off.
• Use a zipper pull or attach a leather loop on the end of the zipper to zip pants or jackets.
• Wear slip-on shoes or buy elastic shoelaces that allow you to slip your shoes on and off without untying the laces. Use devices such as a sock donner and long-handled shoehorn for additional assistance.

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Living With A Stimulator

Once the DBS has been programmed, you are sent home with instructions for adjusting your own stimulation. The handheld controller allows you turn the stimulator on and off, select programs, and adjust the strength of the stimulation. Most patients keep their DBS system turned on 24 hours day and night. Some patients with essential tremor can use it during the day and turn off the system before bedtime. Your doctor may alter the settings on follow-up visits if necessary.

If your DBS has a rechargeable battery, you will need to use a charging unit. On average charging time is 1 to 2 hours per week. You will have a choice of either a primary cell battery or a rechargeable unit and you should discuss this with you surgeon prior to surgery.

Just like a cardiac pacemaker, other devices such as cellular phones, pagers, microwaves, security doors, and anti theft sensors will not affect your stimulator. Be sure to carry your Implanted Device Identification card when flying, since the device is detected at airport security gates.

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How Did You Decide On The Segments

When we announced about this campaign as a part of World Parkinsons awareness month in April 2020, various PwPs enthusiastically came forward and submitted their entries for this campaign. Then we contacted each of them personally to know more about them, get their quote and understand how these arts activities have helped them with PD. We decided on the segments based on various categories of creative arts such as- Dance, Music, Art, Craft, Stitching, Crochet-making, etc. based on the entries, to showcase the diversity of talents among PwPs.

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Eating Drinking And Parkinsons Disease

• Dont rush your meals. Allow the extra time you need to finish your meal. Rest your elbows on the table to provide more motion at your wrist and hand.
• Sit with your knees and hips bent at a 90-degree angle in a straight-back chair.
• Use utensils with built-up, lightweight handles, or use a spork a spoon and fork in one. Use a rocker knife for cutting food.
• Use a non-skid mat to stabilize objects on the table.
• Use a plate guard or plate with a raised lip to prevent food from spilling.
• Use a long straw with a non-spill cup or use a plastic mug with a large handle.

Games For Adults With Dementia

Bingo We are starting with Bingo, as we know from the above study that its great for providing the right level of mental stimulation. Its also highly familiar and focuses on cognition without too much stress. Furthermore, you can get larger scaled Bingo cards. The study mentioned that care workers reported increases in patients alertness and the benefits lasted for several hours. Bingo in care homes isnt just about a fun activity, therefore, but something truly beneficial. Another benefit is that you can move away from numbers and use anything from animals to food or body parts if you are trying to work on specific recall.

Noughts and Crosses Yes, you can use a piece of paper, but there are many tabletop versions available. These versions are useful if eyesight is failing. They also encourage a small amount of physical manipulation of the pieces. Noughts and Crosses is such a familiar game that this can be a game to be enjoyed even in the later stages of dementia.

Snakes and Ladders An old favourite from childhood and so universal that the rules will be familiar, Snakes and Ladders is an ideal board game for dementia patients on many different levels. The bright colours make the board easy to see. Its also great for enjoying with grandchildren. You can also buy preschool editions of the game, which come with larger pieces and dice.

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Parkinsons Disease Surgery: Deep Brain Stimulation

Like all existing therapies for Parkinsons disease, deep brain stimulation has no effect on the progression of the disease. However, it can help you better manage your tremors, slow movements, OFF periods and dyskinesias.

Surgery for Parkinsons disease is limited to certain patients. If you are considering deep brain stimulation surgery, you should have realistic expectations about the results. This technique does not result in a complete cure and results vary from person to person

A multidisciplinary team consisting of a specialized neurologist, neurosurgeon, psychiatrist and other health care professionals can assess your eligibility and explain the benefits and risks of this procedure.

Keeping Your Dementia Loved One Amused

Okay, lets call a spade a spade, sometimes we want our loved one to do something without us having to be involved. With that in mind, some of these ideas are do alone activities.

But honestly, most of these, at some level, will require you to participate even if your loved one is at the early stages of dementia.

I KNOW, you wish that you could plop them down and get a few minutes to do the dishes or take a long hot bath, but I have found that if I think of my Mother In Law as an adult sized kid, I do the best.

My kids will do some things by themselves, but it is MUCH more fun if I participate.

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What Is Parkinsons Disease Surgery

Parkinsons disease surgery is a brain operation called deep brain stimulation . The surgery is also used to treat epilepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder and a condition called essential tremor. DBS is widely considered one of the most significant neurological breakthroughs in recent history, posing a potential treatment for major depressive disorder, stroke recovery and addiction. Parkinsons disease brain surgery aims to interrupt problematic electrical signals from targeted areas in the brain and reduce PD symptoms.

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Computer Games Help People With Parkinsons Disease

Playing computer-based physical therapy games can help people with Parkinsons disease improve their gait and balance, according to a new pilot study led by the UCSF School of Nursing and Red Hill Studios, a California gaming software developer.

More than half the subjects in the three-month research project showed small improvements in walking speed, balance and stride length.

UCSF and Red Hill were the first research team in the United States to receive federal funding in the burgeoning field of low-cost computerized physical therapy games. Unlike off-the-shelf computer games, these specialized games encourage scientifically tested specific physical movements to help people with functional impairments and diseases.

Teams at Red Hill and UCSF collaborated to produce nine clinically inspired games that were designed to improve coordination in people with Parkinsons disease, a chronic, progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by shaking, slowness of movement, limb and trunk rigidity. The clinical team members at UCSF focused on specific body movements and gestures that their previous research had shown to be beneficial for staving off the physical declines of Parkinsons.

The Red Hill team then designed physical games, similar to Wii and Kinect games, in which subjects win points by moving their bodies in certain ways. Each game has multiple difficulty levels so that the clinical team could customize the therapeutic games for each subjects particular abilities.

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Games: Therapy To Reduce Cognitive Abilities

Why Board games as a therapy:

Parkinson symptoms are not just restricted to physical challenges such as tremors etc. The National Library of Medicine has a detailed research to show how board games can be useful for people suffering from Parkinson. They also encounter issues with their cognitive abilities as the disease begins to generate changes in their brain. The initiative is being launched by the European Parkinsons Disease Association . It is supported with an unrestricted educational grant from Novartis Pharma AG and Orion Corporation ORION PHARMA.

Fortunately, home care can be made fun by including brain games for people with Parkinson.

Gist of what we want to include

We have highlighted below and through our blog some ways that you can use board games to help delay the issues with cognitive abilities. If you want us to cover any specific issues please

Some benefits of the most effective games are as follows:

Benefits of Word association Games

This type of game involves trying to match words that belong in the same category. This game counteracts the negative impact Parkinson disease has on the ability to group similar objects together. It helps them retain their vocabulary skills.

There are various online games that can be downloaded via google play store.

Benefits of Memory-matching card Games

There are various online games that can be downloaded via google play store.

Benefits of Reflex Games

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