Frameworks for Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Addressing When, What, and How

Purpose of Review This review summarizes the evidence on rehabilitation for people with Parkinson's disease, including when to refer, what rehabilitation professionals should address, and how to deliver rehabilitation care. Recent Findings Clinical practice guidelines support physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology for Parkinson's disease. However, integrating guidelines into practice may be difficult. Implementation studies take into account patient and clinician perspectives. Synthesizing guidelines with implementation research can improve local delivery. There is moderate to strong evidence supporting physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology soon after diagnosis and in response to functional deficits. We propose a framework of three pathways for rehabilitation care: (1) consultative proactive rehabilitation soon after diagnosis for assessment, treatment of early deficits, and promotion meaningful activities; (2) restorative rehabilitation to promote functional improvements; and (3) skilled maintenance rehabilitation for long-term monitoring of exercise, meaningful activities, safety, contractures, skin integrity, positioning, swallowing, and communication.

Automated summary

This review summarizes evidence on rehabilitation for people with Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the importance of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology soon after diagnosis. It proposes three pathways for rehabilitation care to assess and treat early deficits, promote functional improvements, and provide long-term monitoring.