Parkinson's Treatment

What is therapy for Parkinson's disease?

The frustrating effects of Parkinson's disease can take a toll on a patient's abilities and self-image, but a customized therapy plan can help patients make significant gains. At Bryn Mawr Rehab, our accredited, interdisciplinary therapists create innovative treatments to combat symptoms like:

• Weakness
• Small or shuffling steps
• Slow walking
• Freezing or inability to move
• Low endurance
• Decline in balance
• Rigidity or stiffness
• Inability to project voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decrease in fine motor skills, like handwriting, or using buttons and zippers

Whether a patient is with us for inpatient therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, or at one of several locations for outpatient therapy for Parkinson's disease, therapy begins with a physical, occupational, speech and neuropsychological assessment.

Our therapists are certified by the National Parkinson Foundation®, LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®, Parkinson Wellness Recovery® (PWR! training), Dance for PD® and therapeutic yoga.

Based on the results of the assessments and using a combination of personal insight and state-of-the-art technology, our team creates a regimen unique to each patient's goals and stage of disease. We take a creative approach that typically spans speech, occupational and physical therapies, which may include:

• Exercises to improve dressing skills, eating and drinking
• Strength, flexibility and balance-improvement training
• Training to increase walking speed and ease of movement
• Therapeutic yoga

Our work with Parkinson's patients may also include:

• Exercises to enhance reading speed and reaction time
• Therapies to improve speech clarity, tone and volume

We also incorporate diet-safety education into our program.

At Bryn Mawr Rehab we treat anyone with Parkinson's, regardless of age or stage of illness. Patient goals are established realistically based on individual lifestyles and needs, aiming for the highest level of independence possible. Depending on a therapist's recommendations, additional staff and departments may be called in as part of the recovery process. Typical therapy plans may include:

• Assistive technology services
• Aquatic therapy
• Driver rehab
• Dynavision light training board for visual motor training
• Neuropsychological services
• Yoga

Our patients further benefit from technology-assisted therapy for Parkinson's disease such as the Bioness Vector, Lokomat® Pro, Lite Gait and/or Balance Master.