Parkinson's Disease Summary

Disease Petzinger, Fisher, McEwen, Beeler, Walsh, and Jakowec (2013) investigated the effects of exercise interventions on the cognitive and autonomic components of motor control of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This systematic review, aimed to highlight the benefits of exercise interventions that incorporated both goal-based learning and aerobic training through neuroplastic mechanism of individuals and animals with PD. Petzinger et al. (2013) described neuroplasty as the modification of existing neural networks through the addition and modification of synapses in response to changes in behavior or environments, especially when done with exercise. Elements of directed motor skills learning such as repetition, intensity, and challenge can be utilized during exercise for neuro-rehabilitation (Petzinger et al., 2013). The review analyzed approximately one hundred studies investing the impact of physical exercise on participants with PD, in addition to laboratory mice that presented PD’s-induced symptoms. Findings suggest that aerobic as well as goal-based exercise may act upon motor and cognitive pathways that are affected by PD. As a result, promoting neural plasticity in both individuals and animals with PD. Approximately, 1% to 2% of the population
Because of this statement, I became curious of other behavioral managements for PD that focused on the entire body similar to the article. I discovered that physical therapist provide the program, LSVT-BIG, which incorporates large amplitude whole body movements that also adheres to the principles that drive activity-dependent neuroplasticity and motor learning (Fox, Ebersbach, Ramig, & Sapir, 2012). Therapy services for PD should be multidisciplinary. The exposure from the study by Petzinger et al. (2013). provided me with awareness of behavioral management treatments of PD within