Archives

Frameworks for Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation Addressing When, What, and How (2021)

January 17, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This review synthesizes international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) addressing rehabilitation for people with PD. WHEN: Rehabilitation Referral TimingThere is moderate strength for the recommendation of early rehabilitation (e.g., soon after diagnosis, when experiencing functional deficits due to motor or non-motor symptoms, and during hospitalizations for reduction of adverse events). In all stages of PD, rehabilitation […]
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Occupational Therapy Interventions for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Adults with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review (2021)

January 17, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This review included studies of interventions within the scope of OT practice with outcomes of interest related to IADL performance and participation, with IADLs defined according to the OTPF–3. Measures could include performance-based assessments, questionnaires, questions, or objective measures (e.g., activity monitor). Health-related quality of life and other functional outcome measures were not included unless […]
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A Vicious Cycle of Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior in Parkinson’s Disease: A Path Analysis (2021)

January 17, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Postural instability is one of the four cardinal signs of PD and can lead to falls, which in turn can lead to disability and mortality. This study used a secondary analysis of previously published data (55 participants with PD). The data was analyzed with structural equation modeling to test the proposed model of the relationships […]
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Rumination and Behavioral Factors in Parkinson’s Disease Depression (2016)

January 16, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Cognitive factors, such as rumination and symptom focusing, and behavioral factors, such as avoidance, accounted for the majority of depression variance. These specific cognitive and behavioral processes may be key psychological markers of depression in Parkinson’s disease and are important targets for evaluation and intervention. Results: 104 participants completed questionnaires measuring mood, motor disability, and […]
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Adapted Feeding Utensils for People with Parkinson’s-Related or Essential Tremor (2019)

January 16, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Participants had varied reactions to the different adaptive utensils and provided different reasons for their preferences of one utensil over another. These findings support the need for people with tremors related to either essential tremor or Parkinson’s-related tremor to have access to varied adaptive utensils for trial use. Although there was no statistically significant difference […]
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Inadequate Fluid Intake in Long Term Care Residents: Prevalence and Determinants (2018)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Previous research suggests that half of the LTC residents may be dehydrated. Dehydration is a form of malnutrition. The treatment of other illnesses can be complicated by dehydration including urinary tract and pulmonary infections, kidney stones, hyperthermia, constipation, orthostatic hypotension, and thrombo-embolic compilation. About 60% of LTC residents are hospitalized for dehydration complications and are […]
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The Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on Breath Pauses and Their Relationship to Speech Impairments: A Longitudinal Study (2020)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
During conversations, the respiratory physiological and cognitive-linguistic systems need to coordinate to follow appropriate breath pauses, syntax, and punctuation. With normal aging, the respiratory system does change with reduced elastic recoil of the lungs, respiratory muscle strength, and chest wall compliance. To compensate for these changes, older adults increase the number of appropriate syntax breaths […]
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Impaired Cognitive Modification for Estimating Time Duration in Parkinson’s Disease (2018)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This study had 20 participants (9 females) with PD—with no signs of dementia—and 20 elderly healthy controls (9 females). Both the Mini-Mental Status Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were given to all the participants and everyone scored >25. All of the participants were right- handed and there were no significant differences with age. The participants […]
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Lingual Pressure as Clinical Indicator of Swallowing Function – Parkinson’s (2012)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Participants included the study were 28 PwPD (17 men, 11 women), average age 71, taking at least one dopaminergic medication. All participants were screened using an oral mechanism exam, and had no significant dental or medical history that had an impact on their tongues or ability to swallow. As a control, three spouses of PwPD […]
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The Management of Drooling in Adults with Neurological Conditions (2012)

January 11, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Starting with the physical, the authors note with four sources how drooling can create chapping, infection, dehydration, and even odor. These symptoms can be compounded by the psychosocial aspect. With drooling, the risk of patients being infantilized is real, and can impact how the support system of a patient reacts to them. Drooling can also […]
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