Question

What are the rehabilitative goals and strategies in addressing physical impairments commonly present in patients with Parkinson's Disease?

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson'disease is a disease that affects the part of brain and it is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects our movement. Normally the nerve cells in the person's brain produce a chemical called, 'Dopamine'. It sends out a signal to a portion of their brain controlling movement. In a person with Parkinson's disease, these nerve cells break down, no longer producing enough Dopamine, and interfere with the person's movementThis disease will worsen overtime.The progression of the disease is usually slow, occurring over a period of many years. However, there are treatments available to help persons with Parkinson's disease to live full lives.

Parkinsons disease is characterized four motor symptoms mainly

1. resting tremor,

2.bradykinesia,

3.rigidity, and

4.postural instability .

There is also problems in performing personal activities of daily living, such as eating, drinking, cutting food, walking in the neighborhood, and writing.

REHABILITATIVE GOALS AND STRATEGIES

There are measures for parkinson' patients to live full live but no complete cure. The rehabilitative goals include

1. Drug therapy: the most used in clinical practice is levodopa or levodopa plus dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors (DDC-I), designed to replace the dopamine in the depleted striatum, undoubtedly, the most efficient medication for Parkinson’s disease

2. Surgical treatment: lesioning procedures, such as pallidotomy and thalamotomy, were used to reduce the motor signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

3. Physical therapy :The main focuses of physiotherapy for individuals with parkinsons disease are transfers, posture, upper limb function, balance , gait, and physical capacity and activity. Physiotherapy also uses cognitive movement strategies, and exercises to maintain or to increase independence, safety, and quality of life.

4. Muscle strength and resistance training

5. To control resting tremour transcutaneous electrical stimulation

6. Vibration of whole body

7. Hydrotherapy and aerobic training

8.Group approach and mental imagery.