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All Day
Parkinson's Disease Evaluations
What is
an All-Day Parkinson's Disease evaluation?
It is a day-long program consisting of hourly assessments of an individual's
capabilities. This evaluation is designed with the assistance of a neurologist
who specializes in treating people with Parkinson's Disease.
What is
the goal of the evaluation?
The evaluation provides the physician with information about which symptoms
an individual is experiencing, to what severity, and at which times during the
day. This information is provided in graph format to the physician to assist
in determining the effectiveness of a patient's current medication schedule.
The doctor may then alter the individual's schedule (time and/or dosage of drugs)
to minimize negative symptoms or side effects.
Who conducts
an All-Day Parkinson's Disease Evaluation?
A physical therapist performs the assessment.
What objective
information is assessed?
- Bradykinesia: slowness
of movement, impaired ability to initiate movement, "freezing"
- Gait: independence and
quality of walking, with/or without walking device (i.e. cane. walker)
- Transfers: ability to
stand up from a sitting position safely and independently
- Rigidity: stiffness of
arms and legs during stretching
- Standing Balance: ability
to maintain standing balance against forces applied in various directions
- Tremor: of hands or feet
at rest.
- Dyskinesia: writhing
movements of arms, legs, trunk, or neck
Who is appropriate for
testing?
Persons appropriate for the evaluation are those with Parkinson's Disease that
note: significant fluctuation in physical capabilities throughout the day, side
effects from medications, changes in function in relation to their medication
schedules, or those who have been taking Sinemet for more than 5 years.
How does a patient set
up an All-Day Parkinson's Disease evaluation?
A physician's referral is required for the evaluation. Your physician may write
a prescription for you at an office visit or fax the request. Your health insurance
company may also require prior authorization for physical therapy.
For further information,
call St. John's Mercy Sports & Therapy/Creve Coeur at 314-432-5911.
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