Effect of physiotherapy on gait and balance for patients with Parkinson's disease: a review article

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ministry of Health, Egypt.

2 Department of Physical Therapy for Neurology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.

3 Department of Pediatric disorders and its surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) refers to a degenerative disease of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta in the brain. It is considered a disabling disorder affecting many people. Its symptoms mainly include bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, postural instability, and gait disability. Its effects are very wide covering large spectrum of people especially with old age. Its duration may last long years due to its degenerative nature. It has not only obvious and noxious motor manifestations, but also it has unmanifested disorders or dysfunctions including painful symptoms, depression, and the cognitive decline. All these features complete the whole image of disability in patients with PD. The most popular pathway is simply found in a slow fashion for most of patients. its effects causes the societies to suffer greatly with burdens in most sectors. Physiotherapy including excises and motor learning and training principles have good effects in deterioration of symptoms and improvement of the whole condition. Future research should focus on the best treatment methods especially using technology, in the management of PD.

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