Belmont Village Quarterly Newsletter on Senior Living

Exercising Control over Parkinson's disease

One of the most challenging aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the loss of control over one’s body and movements.  While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, researchers and therapists agree that exercise can provide significant benefits in managing the symptoms of the disease.    

The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor or trembling, slowed motion (bradykinesia), rigid muscles, and impaired posture and balance; however, symptoms vary from person to person and usually develop gradually.  Exercises that target flexibility, lower-extremity strength, and cardiovascular conditioning can help with balance, gait and overall function. 

Carla Reroma, a physical therapist with the Comprehensive Group in Chicago teaches a twice-weekly Parkinson’s exercise class at Belmont Village of Oak Park.  “Since I began teaching this class, I have seen participants go from rigidity to a higher level of function, and from being restricted to a wheelchair to being able to stand.  We do a lot of seated exercises and games that help with flexibility, strength and balance.”

There is an emotional benefit as well.  A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be hard to accept, and it’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of the disease, but exercise and group involvement go a long way toward helping those who have received a diagnosis to cope and have a more positive perspective, says Reroma.  “There’s really a holistic benefit.  When people who have received a diagnosis, but no therapy, come in and see others who are actually at a more advanced stage, but are still functioning, it gives them hope.  It’s very motivating.”

PD is associated with the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons.  Some recent research has indicated that exercise may play a role in the brain’s ability to repair itself, (known as neuroplasticity).  While more studies need to be done to determine if there is a protective or preventative benefit in the progression of PD, the initial findings are intriguing. 

In the meantime, there is significant evidence of the symptomatic benefits of exercise.  Feeling that there is a way to have some control over symptoms can be very empowering for those who struggle with the effects of PD.  “Teaching this class has changed the way that I think about Parkinson’s support – before I thought about how to keep patients safe; now I’m focused on helping them to develop compensation strategies and looking for ways to increase function and prevent progression,” Reroma says.

On March 26, 2010, the U.S. Senate designated April as Parkinson’s Awareness month, making it a national period of awareness for the first time, according to
the National Parkinson’s Foundation.  Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, second in prevalence only to Alzheimer’s
in the United States. An estimated 1,000,000 Americans are affected.

Parkinson’s exercise classes and/or support groups are available at several Belmont Village locations.  To learn what is available in your area, please contact your local community http://www.belmontvillage.com/contact/information-request/.

More Resources:
http://www.parkinson.org/
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

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