Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting the aging global population (Rosinczuk & Koltuniuk, 2017). A drastic loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine neurons in the brain leads to functional mobility dysfunction. The motor difficulties tied to PD create problems with activities of daily living. Symptoms of PD include bradykinesia (slow movement), rigidity, muscle stiffness, postural instability, stooped posture of the body, and freezing gait (Rosinczuk & Koltuniuk, 2017). Additional symptoms of the disease include memory concerns, hyposmia (impaired sense of smell), gastrointestinal disorders, impaired mental function (depression, anxiety, and psychosis), sleep disorders, and dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing) (Rosinczuk & Koltuniuk, 2017). Research has shown that the motor, cognitive, and mood concerns related to PD negatively affect quality of life. Quality of life refers to an individual’s ability to recognize their overall sense of wellbeing, be it either positive or negative.
Cognitive Rehabilitation can assist with improving quality of life in those with PD. Cognitive rehabilitation refers to basic skill training related to work/employment, social interaction/communication, and daily living (Calleo, Burrows, Levin, Marsh, Lai, & York, 2012). Individuals dealing with neurological concerns such as PD have found cognitive rehabilitation techniques improve their ability to navigate their everyday life. If your life has been touched by PD and are finding it challenging to adapt to the disease, clinicians at Interact can help. Explore walk-in Intake Services at Interact in order to get started on increasing your quality of life.
Written by: Marisol Velez, M.S.
Calleo, J., Burrows, C., Levin, H., Marsh, L., Lai, E., & York, M. K. (2012). Cognitive rehabilitation for executive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: Application and current directions. Parkinson’s Disease, 2012. DOI: 10.1155/2012/512892
Rosinczuk & Koltuniuk, 2017The influence of depression, level of functioning in everyday life, and illness acceptance on quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A preliminary study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 13, 881-887. DOI: 10.2147/2012NDT.5132757
