Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system that occurs when groups of cells in the brain responsible for smooth and coordinated movement lose their function. In this disease, there is a deficiency of a chemical substance called dopamine, which plays a crucial role in transmitting information between cells in the brain and ensuring that body movements are carried out smoothly and in a balanced manner.

What Is The Aim of The Rehabilitation?

• To increase the quality of life
• To perform daily activities comfortably
• To increase the elasticity of the muscles
• To increase the motion of the joints
• To provide a better posture
• To move faster

The goal is to maximize the potential of the patient and make them as independent as possible in their daily life.

Rehabilitation Approaches

Each patient’s symptoms will be different in rehabilitation, so an individualized program is developed for each person.

• To correct postural abnormalities and relax the muscles, methods such as hot and cold applications, postural stretching, and relaxation exercises are used.
• Balance coordination exercises to improve the balance coordination
• To strengthen muscles and improve overall performance, strength training exercises and exercises using arm and leg bicycles are used.
• Walking exercises
• Stretching and joint motion range exercises to eliminate the joint motion restrictions,
• Gesture exercises
• Occupational therapy can be applied.

The patient’s walking rehabilitation begins by starting on a platform called parallel bars, and then continues on a treadmill. Weight shifting onto both legs, balance exercises, and stair climbing and descending are performed. With these exercises, walking speed, stride length, and walking distance can be increased.

In balance and coordination training, Computerized Balance Training Systems are utilized in addition to the treatment exercises performed by physiotherapists.

In balance and coordination training, patients are trained on a specially designed platform equipped with music and sensory cues to reduce the risk of falls. The exercises involve standing up, rising on tiptoes, balancing on one foot, taking steps in various directions (forward, backward, sideways), standing on surfaces with different inclinations and stiffness, adjusting walking speed, turning the head while walking, rotating, and practicing overcoming obstacles.