Functional Recovery in Parkinson's Disease: Current State and Future Perspective.

Manuela Violeta Bacanoiu,Ana Maria Buga,Gabriela Olaru,Mircea Danoiu,Radu Razvan Mititelu

doi:10.3390/jcm9113413

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most frequent neurodegenerative disorders, affecting not only the motor function but also limiting the autonomy of affected people. In the last decade, the physical exercises of different intensities carried out by kinetic therapeutic activities, by robotic technologies or with the participation of sensory cues, have become increasingly appreciated in the management of Parkinson’s disease impairments. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the impact of physical exercises with and without physical devices on the motor and cognitive variables of PD patients. In order to achieve our objectives, we performed a systematic review of available original articles based on the impact of kinetic therapeutic activity. Through the search strategy, we selected original papers that were laboriously processed using characteristics related to physical therapy, or the tools used in physiological and psychological rehabilitation strategies for PD patients. In this study, we presented the most current intervention techniques in the rehabilitation programs of patients with Parkinson’s disease, namely the use of assisted devices, virtual imagery or the performing of physical therapies that have the capacity to improve walking deficits, tremor and bradykinesia, to reduce freezing episodes of gait and postural instability, or to improve motor and cognitive functions.

Highlights

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common disease in terms of gait disorders, bradykinesia, tremor, postural instability and balance [1,2]
The organizational chart that shows the dynamics of the research is presented in Figure 1 PRISMA diagram
It is worth mentioning that the types of approached therapies led to significant improvements in gait, including improvements in speed, cadence, velocity, strength step, and turning training, balance, postural reflexes, range of motion, breathing, swallowing, mimic, writing and speech therapy, as well as a delay in freezing of gait and cognitive functions

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common disease in terms of gait disorders, bradykinesia, tremor, postural instability and balance [1,2]. Patients with PD can develop non-motor symptoms including emotional functions, sleep disturbances, and psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety [3]. Non-motor symptoms may be more negative than motor symptoms as they affect the patient’s life [4]. PD symptoms affect various aspects of life, including the ability to transfer and walk, leading to disability [7]. Improving the quality of life of patients with PD, the role of physiotherapy is to maximize functional capacity, independence, safety and well-being, reducing secondary complications and addressing the fear of falling and maintaining physical activities [8,9]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion