Table of Contents

Part I. General Issues

Chapter 1. Introduction to Parkinson's Disease and Its Physical Management
Distinguishing Features of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease and Secondary Parkinsonism
Guidelines for Physical Management

Chapter 2. Medical and Surgical Interventions
Medications
Challenges of Parkinson's Disease
Deep Brain Stimulation

Chapter 3. Exercise and Rehabilitation Considerations
Flexibility
Resistance Training
Cardiorespiratory Endurance
Lifelong Self-Maintenance

Chapter 4. Equipping Caregivers
Caregiver Burden and Educational Needs
Resources for Caregivers

Part II. Dyskinesia

Chapter 5. Postural Variations and Dystonia
Camptocormic Posture
Drop-Head Posture
Ankle and Foot Dystonia in PD

Chapter 6. Tremors
Essential and Resting Tremors
Physical Management of Tremors

Part III. Balance

Chapter 7. Postural Instability
Definitions
Postural Control Strategies
Evaluation of Postural Stability
Interventions for Postural Instability
Stepping Strategy

Chapter 8. Balance Evaluation
Parkinson's Disease Fall Risk Factors
Balance Evaluation and Treatment

Part IV. Transfers

Chapter 9. Chair Transfers
Activity Analysis
Chair Transfer Kinematic Patterns
Evaluation of Chair Transfers
Therapeutic Interventions

Chapter 10. Bed Mobility
Bed Mobility Assessment
Therapeutic Interventions

Chapter 11. Floor Transfers
Successful Floor Transfers
What to Do After a Fall

Part V. Gait

Chapter 12. Gait Deviations and Instability
Interventions for Gait Deviations
Examination of and Interventions for Gait Instability
Gait Velocity

Chapter 13. Compensatory Strategies for Gait Interventions
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)
Attention Strategies
Visual Cues

Chapter 14. Freezing
General Issues in Freezing
Evaluating Freezing
Freezing Interventions

Chapter 15. Turning While Ambulating
Factors Contributing to Turning Instability
Evaluating Turns
Interventions to Improve Turns

Chapter 16. Walkers, Canes, and Footwear
Matching Walkers to Patients
Canes
Footwear

Appendix A. Rating Scales and Questionnaires
Appendix B. Tests
Appendix C. Documentation
Appendix D. Patient Handouts and Interventions

About the Author

Miriam P. Boelen, PT, has been a licensed physical therapist since 1978 and currently is senior staff physical therapist at NorthShore University HealthSystem/Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois. As a movement disorder specialist since 1990, she has worked with patients in all stages of Parkinson's disease and those with implanted deep brain stimulators. Boelen has lectured extensively on issues related to the physical management of Parkinson's disease, including exercise, walking aids, caregiver instruction, and education. She has also taught patients how to regain a sense of control over their physical capabilities while clearing up misconceptions and allowing for renewed hope.

Boelen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. She wrote an article on the role of rehabilitative modalities and exercise in Parkinson's disease that was published in Disease-a-Month. She earned a B.S. in physical therapy from the University of Health Sciences at the Chicago Medical School and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health fitness specialist.

Reviews

Health Professionals' Guide to Physical Management of Parkinson's Disease is a valuable, practical, efficient resource for health care staff teams who work with the PD population. --The Midwest Book Review