Parkinson's Awareness Month: All You Need To Know About The Assisted Therapies For Parkinson's Disorder

Here is all you need to know about the assisted therapies for treating Parkinson’s Disorder that make the treating approach more comprehensive and holistic.

Treating Parkison’s Disease, a progressive nervous system disorder affecting movement involves a holistic approach and assisted therapies that are not just focused on medicines and surgery. Tanvi Mallya, a Neuropsychologist, and the founder of Tanvi Mallya’s ElderCare Services, Mumbai says that when medication is accompanied by different therapies like cognitive stimulation therapy, physiotherapy, counselling for the family and the patient and occupational and speech therapy, it ensures a better quality of life for those with Parkinson’s Disease.

Assisted Therapies For Parkinson’s Disorder

Dr Nicole D’Souza, MPT (Neurophysiotherapist), Head of Therapy & Research at Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society, Mumbai, says: “The treatment for Parkinson’s Disease requires a multidiscipline approach and is conducted by a team of doctors from different specialities including neurologist, physiotherapist, psychologist, dietician, social worker, speech therapist, occupational therapist, creative therapist, yoga therapist and more. The team and the assisted therapies are decided based on the symptoms displayed by the person diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their needs and that of their caregivers.”

Here’s a list of assisted therapies that can help those with Parkinson’s Disorder.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): It is a psychosocial intervention with engaging and cognitively stimulating activities. CST considerably improves the quality of life of those with Parkinson’s Disorder and also improves outcomes like quality of life of the caregivers. Some of the cognition stimulating activities include task sequencing (text-only), knitting, word association, word search, matching pairs by category, moving cubes, one-way journey, repeated words, etc. These activities enhance language, reasoning, semantic memory, visuospatial skills and processing speed among those with Parkinson’s Disorder.

Physiotherapy: One of the vital components of Parkinson’s Disease treatment, physiotherapy not only helps to offset the consequences of Parkinson’s but also addresses the issues of mobility, flexibility, posture and balance among those with the condition. It maintains one’s mobility and balance, making them functionally independent, helps to mobilise stiff joints and makes tight muscles flexible. It also makes it possible for those with Parkinson’s to perform daily activities safely.

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy, also known as physical therapy can help one to compensate for the changes brought about by Parkinson’s Disorder. These exercises can be performed at home and can help in strengthening and loosening muscles, improve movement and relieve pain. It can help with balance problems, lack of coordination, fatigue, pain, gait, immobility and weakness.

Speech Therapy: Dysarthria or difficulty in speaking and dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing are two common signs of Parkinson’s Disorder which can be managed efficiently through speech therapy. It can help one maintain as many communication skills as possible and conserve energy and non-verbal communication skills. A speech therapist can recommend appropriate communication technologies to help with daily activities, treat speech, language and communication issues and evaluate swallowing function.

Creative Therapy: According to Dr Pankaj Agarwal, Head, Movement Disorders Clinic and DBS Program, Global Hospitals & Teaching Faculty in Neurology at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, creative therapy that uses music, dance, art and theatre engage different parts of the brain of those with Parkinson’s Disease that not only improves the motor functions but also deal with emotional and mental issues like mood swings, anxiety, depression and other non-motor aspects of the disease to provide an enhanced and comprehensive treatment.

Music Therapy: This includes singing, playing an instrument, listening to music, creating music and rhythm. It helps to improve the speech – loudness, clarity, pitch, intonation, tone, improve swallowing, breathing, aids in walking and overcome freezing, improves communication, builds confidence and boosts self-esteem, enhances cognitive process – memory, attention and more and improves mood, reduces stress, depression and anxiety.

Art and Craft: This includes drawing, painting, sculpturing, clay modelling, sand art, origami, paper quilling, knitting, sewing, art appreciation and more. They help in improving eye-hand coordination, motor control and fine motor skills, mind-body coordination, cognition like memory, attention, visuospatial abilities, thinking, enhancing mood, reducing anxiety and disorder, confidence and creativity.

Dance Therapy: Dance and movement therapy offer physical, psychological, cognitive and social well-being in Parkinson’s Disease. It helps in balance and gait, coordination, motor control, flexibility, endurance, fine motor skills, facial masking and overcoming freezing. It also improves mood, helps in emotional regulation, relieves stress, tension, reduces anxiety, depression, enhances cognition, positivity and hope, confidence and self-esteem, reduces feelings of shame and embarrassment, isolation and withdrawal.

These days doctors are working on implementing technology to strengthen the assisted therapies for attaining a stronger and wholesome treatment approach for Parkinson’s Disorder. It is essential for those with the condition to make use of these therapies and improve their quality of life.