Structured Rehabilitation Exercise Program in Parkinson’s Disease

Title of the article: A Study of structured rehabilitationexercise program in Parkinson’s diseaseContext: There is a growing need to address rehabilitationissues to supplement medical therapy.Aims: To assess the impact of rehabilitation interventionin the functional status and quality of life in patients withParkinson’s disease.Settings and Design: Prospective follow-up study in ateaching hospitalMaterials and Methods: Twenty-eight cases withParkinson’s Disease on a stable pharmacological regimenand moderately disabled participated in this study. Allpatients were given the same set of exercises. Duringthe first month, patients performed exercises undersupervision at the hospital and rest of the days at home.In the second and third month, patients continued thesame exercises at home. During the fourth month, patientsmaintained their usual level of physical activity butdiscontinued the exercises. All patients were evaluatedat 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months. Outcome measures used wereUnified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)version 3.0, Webster step seconds product, andParkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire(PDQL)Results: Significant improvements were observed inUPDRS section 1 (Mentation, behavior and mood),sections 2 and 6 (Activities of Daily Living), PDQLsubscales (parkinsonian symptoms, systemic symptomsand social functioning), and Webster step-seconds product.Conclusions: Systematic program of physical therapy isbeneficial in patients suffering from moderately disabledParkinson’s disease. Activities of daily living like dressing,turning in bed and walking respond favorably to exercises.Quality of life improves considerably following exercisesleading to increased social participation