Which therapies can ease Parkinson's disease symptoms?

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological disease (a condition affecting the brain and nerves) in the world. Thought of by most as a movement disorder, Parkinson's disease motor symptoms include shakes (tremors), muscle stiffness and a slowing of movement (bradykinesia).

There are also many other possible Parkinson's disease symptoms - both physical and mental - which can interfere with a person's daily activities and affect their quality of life. In the vast majority of cases, symptoms get worse over time.

"There are over 40 symptoms that have been associated with Parkinson's, from tremors and pain to anxiety," says Dr Katherine Fletcher, research communications manager at Parkinson's UK.

Many people aren't as aware of the cognitive (mental) Parkinson's disease symptoms - such as memory loss, confusion and language problems. This can lead people to mistake Parkinson's for dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's also increases the risk of two types of dementia (called Parkinson's dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies).

Is there a cure for Parkinson's disease?

Unfortunately, no existing treatment can reverse Parkinson's or stop Parkinson's disease symptoms from progressing. "Your consultant or Parkinson's nurse will discuss and review the best Parkinson's disease treatments and therapies for you," says Fletcher. "They will also be able to provide support for those that are experiencing changes in thinking, memory and concentration."

What treatments are there for Parkinson's disease?

Although Parkinson's disease affects your ability to move, it's also important to remain as active as possible. As well as improving your mobility and balance problems, exercise has also been shown to strengthen memory, improve learning, alleviate depression, and enhance your brain's ability to reorganise itself (known as neuroplasticity).

Parkinson's affects people in different ways and your specialist Parkinson's nurse will be able to create the best treatment strategy for you. Factors they will consider include your age, disease stage, most troublesome symptoms and the risks for each treatment option.

Supportive therapies for Parkinson's disease symptoms

Supportive therapies may significantly reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms and make day-to-day life easier to manage. They can work alongside medication, or as a useful alternative if you experience medication side effects.

There are several types of therapy used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms. Finding the ones most helpful to you will depend on which symptoms cause you the most trouble.

Physiotherapy for Parkinson's disease symptoms

"People with Parkinson's disease symptoms can struggle with balance and find it hard to start movements, for example standing up or taking a first step. This can make day-to-day life a real challenge," explains Rachael Newman, physiotherapist at Ascenti.

"These symptoms also pose a real injury risk as balance problems and a loss of strength increase the chances of falling over. Published studies show that more than half of people with Parkinson's fall every year and the majority of those fall several times."

"Every person's abilities will be different so, if you're unsure about what is safe for you to do, it is always best to speak with a physiotherapist to get a tailored exercise programme."

Speech and language therapy for Parkinson's disease

A speech and language therapist can help people with Parkinson's disease who struggle with speech, such as reduced volume, slower speaking rate and articulation (the ability to say words clearly). They can also help with other Parkinson's disease symptoms, including swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and drooling, both of which can make eating and drinking hard.

Speech and language therapy for Parkinson's has been shown to improve the loudness of people's voices, their ability to talk in continuous sentences and the intelligibility of what they are saying.

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How can occupational therapy help Parkinson's disease symptoms?

Occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease involves identifying areas of difficulty in a person's life and working out ways to make these easier and more achievable. Research suggests that therapy plans tailored to an individual's goals can improve their quality of life.

If you are living with Parkinson's, an occupational therapist can develop a treatment plan centred around the Parkinson's disease symptoms that interfere with your daily life.

Psychotherapy for Parkinson's disease

Sadly, depression is common among people with Parkinson's. Depressive symptoms - such as becoming slower, sleep problems and a lack of energy - can make it seem like your Parkinson's disease symptoms are getting worse. If you find that your symptoms escalate quite fast, depression could be the cause.

If this is the case, depression can be treated with both medication and psychotherapy. The most common form of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can significantly improve depression.

CBT is based on the idea that certain ways of thinking can fuel mental health problems. When used as a therapy for Parkinson's and depression, a therapist can help change how you perceive certain situations that your condition makes difficult.

Complementary therapies for Parkinson's disease

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, many people turn to complementary therapies to alleviate Parkinson's disease symptoms. Unlike the above therapy for Parkinson's options, complementary therapies are not put through a thorough testing process and clinical trials that adhere to scientific standards to prove they work.

If you decide to try a complementary therapy for Parkinson's, you should do this alongside - and not in replacement of - the Parkinson's disease treatment advised by your healthcare team. Making changes to your treatment without guidance could be dangerous.