Effects of Physical Therapy in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Many studies have been done to evaluate whether or nor physical therapy can improve neurological signs, activities of daily living (ADL), and walking ability for persons who suffer from Parkinson's Disease (PD). Physical therapy (PT) may help improve quality of life for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s Symptoms
As the population ages, Parkinson’s disease is becoming more common. Parkinson’s symptoms include difficulty in movement, inability to switch patterns of movement secondary to coordination, stiffness in arms and legs and trunk, and tremor.

These symptoms take time to all become visible. Oftentimes patients disregard Parkinson’s symptoms until they become noticeable enough for an individual to seek medical advice.

Does Physical Therapy Improve Parkinson’s Symptoms?
Medications and physical therapy are usually prescribed. Many studies have been done to determine whether or not physical therapy helps improve ADL capability for persons suffering from Parkinson’s. Although not all studies have been well-controlled and not all met the standards of proof, review of these studies suggest that physical therapy does help improve ADL ability for Parkinson’s patients  as well as walking ability (walking speed and the length of stride).

Bottom line: Although physical therapy doesn't necessarily improve neurological signs for Parkinson’s patients, it should nevertheless be considered a valid treatment approach for addressing some Parkinson’s symptoms.

"The Effects of Physical Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: A Research Synthesis," deGoede, C PT; Keus, S PT; Kwakkel, G PhD; Wagenaar, R PhD, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol 82, pgs 509-15, (April 2001).

See Related Articles
For more information on different therapies for Parkinson's Disease, specifically whole body vibration, see Cosmonauts’ Therapy Studied for Parkinson's Disease.

The medication, rivastigmine (Exelon), used to treat Alzheimer's patients, shows improvement in those with Parkinson's Disease.  To read more about this study, see Alzheimer’s Medications May Offer Relief for Parkinson’s Disease Dementia.