Parkinson's Disease Occupational Therapy

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Effective Parkinsons Disease Exercises | Occupational Therapy

When you see a physiotherapist they will assess you to see how Parkinsons affects your physical movement. They will then help you to manage any problems you might have. This can be through exercise or other treatments.

The physiotherapist may:

Recommend exercises to improve muscle strength and flexibility
Help you maintain your fitness
Work with you to improve balance and prevent falls
Help with pain relief

Systematic Review Of The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapyrelated Interventions For People With Parkinsons Disease

Erin R. Foster, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L,Mayuri Bedekar, MS, OTR/L,Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA,

Erin R. Foster, Mayuri Bedekar, Linda Tickle-Degnen Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Occupational TherapyRelated Interventions for People With Parkinsons Disease. Am J Occup Ther January/February 2014, Vol. 68, 3949. doi:

Dont Miss: Parkinsons And Restless Leg Syndrome

Managing Symptoms With Our Nationally Recognized Therapy Program

To help you maintain your highest level of function and movement, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center has a team of therapists ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. At our movement disorders center, youll be working with therapists who specialize in Parkinsons disease.

Your ability to move can be impacted by a range of issues, from motor skills to your cognitive abilities and mental health, so we have a variety of therapy options to keep you as safe, mobile and independent as possible.

Recommended Reading: Masked Facies Parkinson’s Disease

How Long Does The Lsvt Program Last

The LSVT BIG program is 16 sessions: four consecutive days per week for four weeks. Each session lasts one hour. There is daily homework practice as well. Once a person graduates from LSVT BIG with the skilled therapy sessions, the recommendation is to continue the exercises daily.

At our clinic, we have occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology all under one roof. Occupational and physical therapy combine to provide the frequency of services each week, which allows us to address a vast number of a persons concerns in that four-week period.

Recommended Reading: Light Therapy For Parkinsons Disease

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines For People With Parkinsons Disease

Whitney Henderson, OTD, MOT, OTR/L,Erin R. Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L,

Julia Wood, Whitney Henderson, Erin R. Foster Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for People With Parkinsons Disease. Am J Occup Ther May/June 2022, Vol. 76, 7603397010. doi:

Read Also: Can Vyvanse Cause Parkinson’s

Never Underestimate Your Patients Potential

When you evaluate a person who has had PD for a long time, one of the first things you might notice is a flat affect, followed by a bit of difficulty in getting up from a chair, a slow, shuffling gait and flexed posture. It would be easy to make a quick judgment about that patients potential , but time and time again, we are surprised at what can be magically unlocked with therapy.

I remember a gentleman who arrived for his first OT appointment with a less than enthusiastic facial expression says Erica. He was walking very slowly with a quad cane and had a propulsive, shuffling gait pattern. After evaluating him, it was apparent to me that he was able to move bigger and better when cued, so I knew hed be a good candidate for LSVT BIG.

Over the course of the of intensive LSVT BIG treatment, four times a week for four weeks, his attention to amplitude greatly improved his safety with functional mobility to the point where was able to walk again with complete confidence and without a cane. I was shocked not only by his potential to improve his mobility, but also by the profound effects it had on his mood and facial expression. I realized that I had initially misjudged his ability and motivation based upon his facial masking, but was glad I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt!

Video Gait in a man with PD before and after LSVT BIG

2. Dont Be Afraid to Push Your Patient

Why?

4. Functional carryover is key!

About our guest bloggers:

Accessing Nutrition And Dietetics

Seeing a dietitian will not be necessary for everyone who has Parkinsons. However if you have noticed changes to your weight or energy levels, increasing constipation or poor eating habits, then you may benefit from visiting a dietitian. Acting on these issues early will help to lessen their impact.

Support for you

Your GP or specialist can refer you to a suitable dietician
The Fight Parkinsons Health Team can also provide advice about dieticians that may be suitable

Also Check: Ejercicios Para Personas Con Parkinson

Preparing Meals And Navigating The Kitchen

Consider where things are located in your kitchen. You might want to reorganize or rearrange things in your kitchen so that frequently needed items are the easiest to access. Plan ahead and break down the steps of your meal prep so that it is more manageable.

There are lots of tricks and tips that OTs have to help in the kitchen such as sliding heavy pots of water along the countertop instead of carrying them or sitting at the kitchen table to chop vegetables instead of standing. If you enjoy cooking, there are likely lots of suggestions an OT can make to help you be safer and more independent in the kitchen.

Occupational Therapy And Carers

Occupational Therapy & Parkinsons Disease

Occupational therapists can advise your carer and family how to support you in staying independent. They can also advise on ways to look after their own health.

It is important that your family and carers are also involved in, and understand, any changes the occupational therapist recommends to your usual routines. Getting help and advice from an experienced therapist can reduce the amount of help you need from your family or carer and so alleviate any pressure they may feel.

Read Also: Sugar And Parkinson’s Disease

How A Parkinsons Nurse Can Help

In the initial stages of Parkinsons, a Parkinsons nurse can provide advice and support to help you come to terms with the diagnosis. They can educate you and your family about the various symptoms of Parkinsons and can suggest strategies to manage symptoms. As Parkinsons progresses they can offer guidance on managing medications. A Parkinsons nurse can also refer you to other health care professionals for more specialist advice.

Recommended Reading: Speak Up For Parkinsons App

How Many Physical Therapy Visits Will I Need

Treatments in physical therapy often can be completed in one to three office visits. The first appointment includes an evaluation and recommendations for exercises. The following appointments check your progress and review and expand your home program. Most hospitals can provide additional sessions of outpatient therapy if needed.

How Psychology Can Help

Guideline for Occupational Therapy in Parkinson

There are many reasons why someone living with Parkinsons might benefit from seeing a psychologist. A diagnosis of Parkinsons can bring with it many psychological and emotional challenges. For instance, anxiety, depression and stress affect a large proportion of people diagnosed with Parkinsons. Assessment and treatment by a psychologist can help to address these issues for people living with Parkinsons, their carers, family and friends.

The psychologist may:

Help you to deal with your emotional reaction to diagnosis
Undertake assessments, and suggest strategies to manage memory and cognitive difficulties
Teach strategies to manage anxiety and stress
Talk with you and develop strategies to overcome depression
Suggest strategies to help you cope with the ongoing challenges of Parkinsons.

You May Like: Can You Be Tested For Parkinson’s

Training Of Trial Therapists

Before the start of the trial, the participating occupational therapists follow a three-day training to inform them about the study procedures and to train them to treat the patients and caregivers according to the OTiP intervention protocol. Special attention is given to enhancing the therapists skills in coaching and motivational interviewing and in eliciting and collaboratively defining meaningful, individualized goals with the patient and caregiver. Ways to achieve sufficient treatment intensity in ten weeks are discussed. Halfway through the inclusion period a booster training session is planned. Therapists can use a secure online platform to share issues and experiences and can consult an expert OT to discuss the intervention.

Big Things Learned About Treating Patients With Parkinsons Through Lsvt Big

As three of the faculty for the LSVT BIG Training and Certification Course, we have had the incredible opportunity to learn from each other over the years. Although each of us has unique backgrounds and paths that led us to become Occupational Therapists, we share a common passion for helping people with Parkinsons disease .

We have also realized there are common themes in the lessons we have each learned and in ways we have changed our approach to treating patients with PD since becoming LSVT BIG Certified.

Recommended Reading: How Long Can You Survive With Parkinsons

Other Surgical Options For Pd

There are also other surgical options available at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center that a neurosurgeon may recommend, including two traditional surgeries that have been used for many years to treat PD, pallidotomy and thalamotomy

When the portion of the brain called the globus pallidus interna becomes hyperactive, it produces signals that inhibit movement, causing rigidity and slowness of movement. A pallidotomy destroys a part of the GPi so the signals that inhibit movement are reduced and the patients symptoms are reduced.

A pallidotomy is very effective for reducing drug-induced dyskinesia uncontrolled movements caused by a drug which may make it possible for patients to actually increase their dosage levels of helpful medications after surgery. It may also be a good option for significant improvement of rigidity and bradykinesia the name for slowness of movement.

While a patients tremors may also improve with a pallidotomy, if tremor is the dominant or most bothersome symptom, a thalamotomy is more effective. In this surgery, a portion of the thalamus the part of the brain triggering tremors is destroyed. Approximately 80% of patients who have this surgery have complete or nearly complete elimination of their tremor.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help Parkinson’s Disease

EXERCISES FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE | Occupational therapy | home exercises

For Parkinson’s disease, occupational therapy generally provides assessment, treatment, and recommendations in the following areas:

Arm and hand therapy
Driver evaluation and vehicle modification information
Cooking and homemaking adaptations
Ways to make the most of your energy
Computer modifications
Workplace or work equipment modifications
Leisure skill development

Also Check: Weight Loss In Late Stage Parkinson’s

Help With Funding For Adaptations

Occupational therapists can advise and help arrange funding for minor home adaptations if you need them, such as fitting grab rails or hand rails by steps and stairs.

If you need advice about more expensive home adaptations, such as stairlifts, or accessible bathing facilities, you should speak to an occupational therapist based in a social services department, or the health and social care services of a local authority. They may advise you on any funding available. However, major home adaptations, such as installing a level-floor shower are often subject to means testing.

Thanks For Signing Up

We are proud to have you as a part of our community. To ensure you receive the latest Parkinsons news, research updates and more, please check your email for a message from us. If you do not see our email, it may be in your spam folder. Just mark as not spam and you should receive our emails as expected.

You May Like: Narcolepsy And Parkinson’s Disease

Use Your Personal Strengths

How can you build on your strengths and minimize your limitations? For example, if you have the strength of helping children enjoy reading, you could exercise that strength by reading to your grandchildren, by listening to them as they read, or by playing a reading game that stimulates both your imagination and theirs.

One of your strengths may be thinking skills. One thinking skill is imagining doing the activity before doing it. For example, imagining writing big can actually help you write big. Another thinking skill is speaking the steps out loud. When combing your hair, try saying hold and comb, to avoid dropping the comb.

Make sure you are exercising. Improving strength, balance and endurance through exercise supports your participation in all sorts of activities. Whether it is dancing or walking to a neighbors house, find an enjoyable way to exercise.

Lastly, be positive. Think, I will do rather than Ill try to and you may be more successful.

Read Also: Prayer For Parkinsons Disease

Occupational Therapy Modifications For People With Parkinsons

Along with physical exercises, occupational therapists often recommend modifications to help people living with PD maintain function and continue participating in daily activities. Modifications may include:1

Changing the nature, time, and duration of an activity
Simplifying activities by breaking complex actions into simple tasks
Arranging items to reduce situations that involve time pressure, like moving the telephone to an accessible location

Recommended Reading: Caring For Someone With Parkinsonâs

Recommended Reading: Eyesight And Parkinson’s Disease

Physical And Occupational Therapy For Parkinsons Disease

As PD progresses, most people experience worsening of their motor skills. This includes difficulties with posture, balance, and walking. Worsening motor skills can lead to:4

Loss of independence
Fear of falling
Increased social isolation

PT and/or OT are often used along with drugs for people with PD who are experiencing limitations in their activities. This can include things like personal care, work, and leisure activities. These therapies may also be recommended when the caregiver of the person with PD is having difficulties supervising or supporting the person with PD during daily activities.1

Living With Parkinsons And The Emerging Role Of Occupational Therapy

Jelka JansaAcademic Editor: Received

Abstract

Parkinsons disease is a chronic and increasingly complex condition, demanding multidisciplinary management. Over the last twenty years or so, alongside the growth of specialist services and healthcare teams specifically developed for people with Parkinsons, occupational therapy has grown in recognition as a treatment option, especially since evidence of its efficacy is now slowly emerging. The purpose of this work is to outline the role of occupational therapy clinical practice in the management of people living with Parkinsons disease and its emergent evidence base, combined with details of current occupational therapy philosophy and process, as applicable to occupational therapy practice for people with Parkinsons. The Canadian Practice Process Framework is used to structure this overview and was selected because it is a well-recognized, evidence-based tool used by occupational therapists and encompasses the core concepts of human occupation and person-centred practice. The framework employed allows the flexibility to reflect the pragmatic occupational therapy intervention process and so enables the illustration of the individually tailored approach required to accommodate to the complex pathology and personal, domestic, and social impacts, affecting the functioning of Parkinsons disease patients on a daily basis.

1. Introduction

2. Canadian Practice Process Framework

2.2. Eight Action Points

2.2.1. Enter/Initiate

Don’t Miss: Boxing Classes For Parkinson’s Patients

How Can An Occupational Therapist Help

Occupational therapists are specialists who promote health and well-being. In PD, their primary objective is to enable patients to participate in the activities of everyday life by working with them to improve their ability to engage in tasks they want to, need to, or are expected to do. In many cases, this may require modifying an occupation or the environment to better support occupational engagement.

These therapists provide assessment, treatment, and recommendations in areas such as:

Occupational therapists may also help with changes in relationship dynamics by promoting the maintenance of normal roles, daily routines, and social habits as much as possible. They provide support to patients to continue working, and serve as a link between a patient and the workplace. Therapists also help with social, recreational, and leisure activities, and driving. .

Parkinsons News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

How Does Physical Therapy Help Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease Exercises: LSVT BIG Movements

Physical therapy cannot cure Parkinson’s disease, because at this time, neurological damage cannot be reversed. But therapy can help you compensate for the changes brought about by the condition. These “compensatory treatments,” as they’re called, include learning about new movement techniques, strategies, and equipment. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen and loosen muscles. Many of these exercises can be performed at home. The goal of physical therapy is to improve your independence and quality of life by improving movement and function and relieving pain.

Physical therapy can help with:

Balance problems

Important note: Some physical therapists may apply diathermy to relieve muscle aches and pains. This could be dangerous to patients who have deep brain stimulators.

Parkinsons Disease And Occupational Therapy: Helping People To Live Better With Their Pd Symptoms

If youre living with Parkinsons Disease an Occupational Therapist may be able to help you achieve your goals so you can perform better to live better.

Whether youre frustrated by your ability to perform everyday tasks, had a fall or perhaps youve experienced a decline in confidence to manage at home?

Whatever your situation, these are all very real and all too common experiences many people affected by PD, maybe much like you, have on a regular basis.

We would like to help.

No intervention can reverse or cure Parkinsons disease. This has been real frustration for many people, maybe much like you as well as David Norris our Senior OT who is passionate about providing Parkinsons Disease occupational therapy services.

Parkinson’s Disease Occupational Therapy