Monday, March 18, 2024

Tools For Parkinson’s Patients

Exploring Episodic Symptoms And The Flicker Effect

Early Screening Tools for Parkinsonâs Disease

PD challenges a patients ability to focus and carry out future intentions, often called executive functioning. The capacity to follow through on intent is consistently impaired in people with Parkinsons, which is likely to have an impact on practicing TBM.

A 2015 research article published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience notes that studies using both event-based paradigms, which require subjects to execute a delayed action at the occurrence of an environmental cue, and time-based tasks, which require subjects to execute a delayed action at the expiration of a certain time, document that PD patients perform significantly worse than healthy controls.

TBM is about brain rewiring, and both patience and dogged persistence are needed to show up ready to do the work every day. Like getting the body in shape, the brain needs exercise. Its the only way it will grow new neural pathways.

Much additional research is being done to understand these neural networks. A group of researchers studied Parkinsons disease dementia and published their findings in the journal Brain in 2015. The abstract states that, New treatments are slow in development because unlike the pathological process underlying the motor deficits of Parkinsons disease, the neural mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Going To The Bathroom

Navigating the bathroom successfully and safely depends on putting modifications in place. Bathroom assistive devices are available through local trusted companies like Connecticut Surgical Supply or through national distributors like Performance Health/Patterson Medical and include:

  • walk-in shower
  • shower chair
  • mounting bars or handrails in shower and near the toilet. The Versaframe offers armrests to support you when you use the toilet
  • non-skid rubber bath mats in shower
  • faucets that require only touch to turn on
  • motion-activated nightlights

Also, consider wood or linoleum floors, which are safer, and remove loose rugs. Remove threshold strips between rooms in your house as well.

Caregiver Corner: Tools To Help You Cope

Whether you care for someone who only requires help with basic tasks or for someone who requires daily physical care, utilizing the proper tools can help care partners provide the best support for their loved one with Parkinsons disease .

Think of caregiving as a home: when you move into a new house, you furnish it, make it a place you feel comfortable in and invite your friends and family over to celebrate. Moving into this new role as a care partner requires a similar level of rearranging. It will take time to get used to the new normal, but you will feel that comfort again. The first step is to learn what coping skills work for you.

Research shows that care partners face risks to their own emotional and physical health, which is why it is vital to prioritize coping tools to address the stress associated with caregiving. Examples of declined physical health in care partners include higher incidences of heart disease, high blood pressure, decreased immunity to sickness, anxiety and sleep deprivation.

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Tools Employed To Screen For Frailty

Fifteen studies employed the frailty phenotype method , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 9 studies employed the clinical frailty scale , , , , , , , , . Four studies employed the frailty index, or cumulative deficit model , , , . In one study frailty index values range from 0 to 1 and a cut-off of> 0.2 was employed to identify frailty .

Five studies used an alternative frailty screening measure, and four studies employed more than one measure. One study used the Edmonton Frail Scale . Another used routinely collected data to derive a mortality prediction equation, as well as unplanned hospitalization prediction equation, which when combined, were utilized to categorize patients into frailty groups. One study combined a timed-up-and-go with a frailty index to calculate a QTUG Frailty Index . One study did not report which measure was used .

What The Experts Say

Tool for Parkinsons disease psychosis diagnosis

Parkinson’s disease can sometimes interfere with an individual’s ability to regulate body temperature, which can make the colder weather less tolerable, says physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Ileana Howard, M.D. Layering warm clothing can sometimes help reduce symptoms associated with the cold.

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Associations Between Frailty And Adverse Outcomes In Pd Patients

Frailty was associated with recurrent falls , , cognitive impairment, dementia, orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, hallucinations, nursing home placement, dependency in activities of daily living and Parkinsons disease questionnaire-8 summary index . In a Norwegian PD study, the odds of dementia development over 7years of follow-up was 3-fold higher for individuals who were frail at baseline, compared to those who were not frail at baseline . In a Taiwanese study of 76 patients with PD, frailty phenotype was associated with worse scores on neuropsychological assessments of attention, executive function, memory, speech, language, and visuospatial function . A U.K. inpatient study found that PD patients who developed delirium were more likely to be frail .

Utilizing the CFS in inpatients, frailty was shown to be an independent predictor of inpatient mortality with an odds ratio for severely/very severely frail of 8.1 . In the same study, CFS did not predict other outcomes investigated including death within 30days of discharge, new institutionalization, length of stay7days or readmission to the same hospital within 30days . In a study of 41 patients with PD admitted to hospital with a mean age of 78years, 37% died within 18months of the index admission . Patients who died during follow-up had an average CFS score of 6 compared to 4.8 for patients who survived .

Assistive Devices For Writing

The motor symptoms of PD can make holding and using a pencil or pen a challenging task,handwriting becomes small, cramped, and laborious. Keeping your hand relaxed whilewriting is almost impossible, but to make it manageable, there are many writing gadgetsavailable that are easier to grip, and fit most round items like a pen, pencil, or a toothbrush.

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Key Deliverables And Results

Through regular teleconferences, consortium members discuss field needs and priorities. The consortium has thus far sponsored the creation of eight research tools focused on priority targets, such as alpha-synuclein and parkin. View a full list of MJFF-sponsored research tools, including those supported by the Parkinsons Disease Research Tools Consortium.

The Chrondi Creed: A Guide For Parkinsons Warriors

Virtual Reality Tool Could Improve Balance For Parkinson Patients Breathing Exercise Could Improve

These are important, similar to the CHRONDI Creed developed in my book, Possibilities with Parkinsons: A Fresh Look. TBM goes one step further in specifically retraining my Parkinsonian brain.

TBM isnt easy, but it is effective in my life and offers hope when this ugly, progressive illness makes me run the gauntlet of suffering. TBM has changed my life from horrible to pretty good most of the time.

Note: 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. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinsons News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinsons disease.

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Want More Practical Articles Like This

Much more can be found in a powerful new edition of Davis Phinney Foundations free Every Victory Counts® manual. Its jam-packed with up-to-date information about everything Parkinsons, plus an expanded worksheets and resources section to help you put what youve learned into action. Color coding and engaging graphics help guide you through the written material and point you to complementary videos, podcasts and other materials on the Every Victory Counts companion website. And, it is still free of charge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Request your copy of the new Every Victory Counts manual by clicking the button below.

Is There A Link Between Flu And Parkinsons Disease

There could be a link between influenza infections and a higher risk of Parkinsons disease, new research has suggested. The study, from teams in Denmark and the US, examined records from the Danish National Patient registry between 1977 and 2016, which totalled 61,626 people including 10,271 who had been diagnosed with Parkinsons between 2000 and 2016. They found that people who had a recorded flu infection were 73% more likely to receive a Parkinsons diagnosis, over a decade later, than people who had never received a flu diagnosis. I think this paper provides the strongest evidence to date that influenza increases the risk for Parkinsons, commented Dr J Timothy Greenamyre, director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, US. However, scientists stressed that more research was needed. Our study adds to a broader literature, and we shouldnt overstate the results, said lead author Dr Noelle M Cocoros, a research

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Ssl Collection And Ssl

The SSL collection and SSL-RNA purification were performed as described previously. In addition to the RNA purification method described previously, we also used the following modified method for RNA preparation during the study. There were no differences in the transcriptome analysis results between the two methods. Briefly, the oil-blotting film was cut into small pieces followed by homogenization with 1.45 mL QIAzol . The supernatant was collected in a tube and 260 L chloroform was added, and the mixture was vortexed for 10 s. After centrifuging at 12,000×g for 15 min at 4 °C, 750 L of the upper phase was transferred to a fresh tube, and 750 L 85% ethanol was added. RNA was purified according to the manufacturers instructions using the RNeasy Mini Kit and QIAcube with concomitant DNase I treatment. RNA was eluted in 100 L nuclease-free water, concentrated by standard ethanol precipitation, and dissolved in 10 L nuclease-free water.

Eating And Drinking Equipment

New tool for Parkinson
  • Specially designed cutlery with large, easy-to-grip handles can help patients during mealtime.
  • Curved-handle knives are shaped in a way that gives more control and can be easier to grip.
  • Plate guards that clip onto the plate and provide a ring around it can help stop food from falling down the edge of the plate.
  • Sip cups with a lid can help avoid spills. Using a straw can also make drinking easier.
  • Non-slip mats can be placed underneath a plate or bowl to stop it from moving around while the patient is eating. They can also be used on a tray to prevent sliding during carrying.
  • Kettle tippers make it possible to tilt a kettle without lifting it, reducing the risk of spills and burns.

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Metal Mesh Cutting Gloves

Tremors and muscle rigidity can make knife work a dangerous mission. Wrap rubber bands around the handle of knives to avoid slipping, says Kimberly Berg, who teaches boxing for those with Parkinsons at Rebel Fit Club in Oregon. Or try a metal knife guard to keep fingertips safe. White also praises the metal mesh cutting gloves used by chefs, which her chef children bought for her. As soon as I start chopping stuff, I put them on, she says. If you cut into your hands, the knife doesnt cut through the gloves.

Helpful Tools For Those Living With Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease is a brain disorder that leads to problems with movement, muscle control, and balance. The disease involves a reduction in dopamine, a brain chemical involved in movement. Hallmark symptoms include tremors, stiff limbs, difficulty walking, and speech changes.

Theres no cure for PD, but current therapies focus on medicines to restore dopamine and physical exercise to improve motor symptoms.

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, a significant number of falls with injury happen in the PD patients home, especially in the bathroom. Although PD is a progressive disease, these falls can happen early in the course of the disease, when changes creep up on a person. Falls are a significant risk as the disease advances and a patient is shaky and walks with great difficulty.

Here are everyday living activities that pose challenges to PD patients and devices to help them navigate the challenges.

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Managing Depression In Parkinsons Disease

People with Parkinsons, family members and caregivers may not always recognize the signs of depression and anxiety. If you are experiencing depression as a symptom of Parkinsons, it is important to know it can be treated.

Here are some suggestions:

  • For information and support on living well with Parkinsons disease, contact our Information and Referral line.
  • As much as possible, remain socially engaged and physically active. Resist the urge to isolate yourself.
  • You may want to consult a psychologist and there are medications that help relieve depression in people with Parkinsons, including nortriptyline and citalopram .

Frailty And Brain Pathology

Parkinson’s Disease Home Modification & Equipment

In a study of nearly 800 individuals in the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project cohort studies, authors investigated the association between brain pathology and frailty . Macroinfacts, Alzheimer disease pathology, Lewy Body Disease pathology and nigral neuronal loss were associated with more rapid progression of frailty . Nigral neuronal loss was independently associated with frailty progression, but Lewy Body pathology was not . Additionally, patients with nigral neuronal loss and dementia showed a more rapid frailty progression than patients with nigral neuronal loss without dementia . Nigral neuronal loss was associated with rate of decline in grip strength and walking speed, but not with rate of change in body mass index or fatigue .

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Emergency Alarms And Monitors

  • Pendant alarms worn around the neck or wrist are designed to send a signal to an emergency center or another part of the house.
  • Monitors can alert another person in case of a specific event. They can be triggered if the patient falls or smoke is detected, for instance.
  • Wireless doorbells can be used to call for help from someone nearby when the patients voice is not strong enough.
  • Smartphone apps can send an alarm after being triggered by a fall or other event.

Device To Help People With Parkinson’s Disease Communicate Better Now Available

George Patrick discusses the SpeechVive device with Jessica Huber, associate professor in Purdue’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, and developer of the device. The device helps people with Parkinsons disease communicate more effectively. Patrick has been using the device since 2011, and it is now available on the market through health care providers and for demonstration at many of the National Parkinson’s Centers of Excellence across the United States

LAFAYETTE, Ind. SpeechVive Inc. announced Wednesday the commercial launch of the SpeechVive device intended to help people with a soft voice due to Parkinson’s disease speak more loudly and communicate more effectively.

The device is now available to try as a demo through the National Parkinson’s Disease Foundations Centers of Excellence prior to purchasing. People who suffer from a soft voice due to Parkinson’s disease can make an appointment at any of these centers: the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Struthers Parkinsons Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Baylor College of Medicine, Waco, Texas.

The SpeechVive device also is available to try at the M.D. Steer Speech and Hearing Clinic at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

For more information, call 800-392-3309 or visit the SpeechVive website at www.speechvive.com.

About SpeechVive

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Exercise Interventions In Pd Patients With Frailty

In 8 frail and pre-frail PD patients, core exercise training using an assistive lumbar support worn during exercise for five consecutive days resulted in improvements in timed 10-meter walk, step-length, timed up and go and chair stands in 30s . The timed 10-meter walk improved from 15.3s at baseline to 9.6s at the end of the intervention with the improvement maintained at 3-months . Step-length improved from 0.37m to 0.51m at the end of the intervention, as did TUG , and chair stands in 30s .

In the second exercise intervention study, 18 patients with PD participated in exercise classes three times per week for 12-weeks . The classes included Tai Chi, rhythmic cycling and strength and conditioning circuit classes . Between baseline and the end of the 12-week exercise intervention, the quantitative timed up and go frailty index improved .

Depression May Be An Early Symptom Of Parkinsons

This Spoon Cancels out the Tremors of Parkinson

Depression is one of the most common, and most disabling, non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease. As many as 50 per cent of people with Parkinsons experience the symptoms of clinical depression at some stage of the disease. Some people experience depression up to a decade or more before experiencing any motor symptoms of Parkinsons.

Clinical depression and anxiety are underdiagnosed symptoms of Parkinsons. Researchers believe that depression and anxiety in Parkinsons disease may be due to chemical and physical changes in the area of the brain that affect mood as well as movement. These changes are caused by the disease itself.

Here are some suggestions to help identify depression in Parkinsons:

  • Mention changes in mood to your physician if they do not ask you about these conditions.
  • Complete our Geriatric Depression Scale-15 to record your feelings so you can discuss symptoms with your doctor. Download the answer key and compare your responses.
  • delusions and impulse control disorders

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