Parkinson’s disease currently ranks as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. This chronic and progressive disease targets the central nervous system, causing degeneration of nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. As the nerve cells in this area die or are damaged, dopamine production and release become abnormal. With a loss of dopamine, nerve cells fire without regulation, causing uncontrolled movements and coordination. Additional symptoms include rigidity, tremors, impaired balance, and slowness of movement. Patients facing this disease are typically referred to a physical therapist to help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Physical therapy has been shown to maintain strength, increase mobility, and improve balance and motor skills for patients with the disease. The objective of this study is to investigate and understand the relationship between physical therapy and Parkinson’s disease, focusing on the effectiveness of slowing its progression. The qualitative research study utilized interviews as the primary form of data collection, obtaining the perspective of practicing physical therapists as well as expert research-based physical therapists. A predetermined list of questions relevant to physical therapy and Parkinson’s disease was used to format the interviews. A trend analysis of the results was completed to identify similarities between the interviews and perspective of the interviewees. Findings highlight the importance of early intervention to slow progression and optimize outcomes of the disease and continual patient engagement to help mitigate symptom severity.

Joselyn would like to thank Dr. Osterbur for her continued support and mentorship throughout the process and during her time at SLU.