Parkinson's - Physiotherapy Referral and Assessment

 Physiotherapists play a vital role in supporting people with Parkinson’s to choose management strategies, prioritise and address the challenges they face over the course of the condition. Improving movement and safety is usually the main focus of physiotherapy in light of the progressive pathology and the disability and participation restrictions this can cause.

Referral

The American Academy of Neurology recommend the clinicians discuss the clinical presentations of the individual with Parkinson’s at least once yearly with a physiotherapist to consider when would be an optimal time to refer the person for physiotherapy services. An ideal best practice standard would be for the physiotherapist to have Parkinson’s expertise, and to be involved at the point of diagnosis. This does not always occur and until such time as we are referred all people with Parkinson’s, some referral criteria have been agreed.

Assessment

Physiotherapy assessment considers ways in which the condition is affecting the individual with Parkinson’s, whilst being aware of the impact on close carers and relatives, especially when someone is newly diagnosed or has been diagnosed for some time.
The history taking and physical assessment aspects of the assessment enable an honest discussion of what is realistic of the things the person wants to do. The core areas of physiotherapy interventions for which there is evidence of effectiveness for people with Parkinson’s are:

Physical capacity

It is known that people with Parkinson’s are less active than their peers as the condition progresses, resulting in muscle weakness and power, increased falls risk and reduced walking speed, itself an indication of reduced life expectancy.

Transfers

Difficulties arise for people with Parkinson’s due to the complexity of changing position – e.g. rising from lying or sitting, turning activities

Manual activities

These become difficulty due to the combination of sequential sub-tasks, dexterity and co-ordination requirements

Balance

Balance impairment and falls are a common problems for people with Parkinson’s; these problems often start after about 5 years of diagnosis due to worsening of the systems that maintain body position, the progressive slowness of movement, of trunk rigidity and reduced proprioception. Balance often becomes worse when motor and mental tasks are combined (dual/multi tasking). Falling has wide ranging impact including carer stress and fear of movement.

Gait

Paople with Parkinson Disease require assessment of continuous or episodic problems with gait.

Disease Progression

As the condition progresses, the individual’s needs, and our physiotherapy goals will alter; it is essential that the person is reviewed regularly.

Early Stages

In the early stages of the condition, physiotherapy assessment should aim to support educational needs e.g. about keeping fit, active and healthy, and on minimising the impact Parkinson’s on people’s lives. As Parkinson’s progresses and the individual experiences problems with their movement, the assessment focus moves towards a review of physical activity and mobility, possibly assessing for the optimal movement and cognitive strategies.

Late Stages

In the later stages, as the condition progresses, many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s have a bigger impact on daily life, often mixing with other medical conditions. Physiotherapy assessment focuses on decisions about how to cope with these changes with an emphasis on a support network to best keep the person active and safe when moving.

Other issues physiotherapists should assess for are pain and respiratory problems.

Get to know more about physiotherapy for Parkinson’s:

1. In terms of an easy access on-line resource, we advise to you to read the Review version of the European Physiotherapy Guideline for Parkinson’s Disease [hyperlink to http://parkinsonnet-engels.aride.nl/media/11928217/eu_20physiotherapy_20guideline_20pd_review_2020131003-1.pdf]. Although the title intimates ‘European’, the evidence informing the document is taken from international studies and input from worldwide experts. The Guideline is an update of the first evidence-based guideline with practice recommendations for physiotherapy in Parkinsons’s was published by the Royal Dutch society for Physical Therapy (KNGF), the ‘Dutch Guidelines’ [hyperlink to http://www.appde.eu/pdfs/Dutch%20Parkinson's%20Physiotherapy%20Guidelines.pdf]. The Association of Physiotherapists in Parkinson’s disease Europe (APPDE) [hyperlink to www.appde.eu] requested the update, the KNGF agreed with ParkinsonNet [hyperlink to http://www.parkinsonnet.info] (a community of healthcare professionals specialised in Parkinson's) to update and adapt the guideline into a European guideline for physiotherapy in Parkinson’s. The development is endorsed by the APPDE, the European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT) [hyperlink to http://www.physio-europe.org] and the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) [hyperlink to www.epda.eu.com].