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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Parkinson’s Disease
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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Parkinson’s Disease

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2025) | Viewed by 4494

Editors

Dr. Maria Elisa Pimentel Piemonte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05360-160, Brazil
Interests: physiotherapy; occupational therapy; Parkinson's disease; rehabilitation medicine; neuroscience; neurology; motor learning and motor control
Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Occupational Therapy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
Interests: occupational therapy; social psychology; culture and health care stigma; health quality of life; social participation; Parkinson's disease and conditions across the lifespan that affect nonverbal and verbal communication; evidence-based practice

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, disability and death resulting from Parkinson's disease (PD) are escalating more rapidly than for any other neurological disorder and, as the disease progresses, individuals experience increased difficulty performing everyday tasks, reducing independence and quality of life. Physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are essential components of the multidisciplinary approach to managing PD. Both therapies aim to improve the quality of life and functional independence of individuals with PD by addressing the motor and non-motor symptoms associated with the disease. Evidence-based PT and OT interventions have been shown to mitigate these effects, promoting physical and mental well-being; however, to truly maximize their impact, it is crucial to strengthen the evidence base by conducting high-quality studies. PT and OT research contributes to optimizing current practices, understanding the mechanisms underlying therapeutic efficacy, and developing innovative interventions tailored to the diverse needs of PD patients from the early to advanced disease stages.

We are pleased to invite you to provide clinicians and researchers with new, high-quality evidence on PT and OT interventions, aimed at enhancing the multifaceted functionality of individuals living with PD.

This Special Issue aims to provide an excellent opportunity to examine previously unaddressed aspects, discuss gaps and controversies, and propose innovative approaches in PT and OT for individuals with PD.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome and research areas may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Care models in PT and OT to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for people with PD;
  2. Innovative PT and OT solutions, including remote care, with a significant impact on people with PD;
  3. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of new models of PT and OT care for people with PD;
  4. New approaches in PT and OT tailored to the specific needs of individuals with PD;
  5. The role of PT and OT in palliative care for individuals with PD.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Maria Elisa Pimentel Piemonte
Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physiotherapy
  • occupational therapy
  • rehabilitation
  • palliative care
  • care models

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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8 pages, 371 KB  
Article
Effects of Agility Training with a Light-Based System on Balance and Functional Performance in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease
by Thelma Rut Holmarsdottir, Andri Thor Sigurgeirsson and Atli Agustsson
Healthcare 2025, 13(20), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13202559 - 11 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1830
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Impaired balance and general mobility are common complications of Parkinson‘s disease (PD) and are largely caused by bradykinesia and hypokinesia. Although previous studies have shown that patients can increase the speed and amplitude of movement with training, apathy, which is also common [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Impaired balance and general mobility are common complications of Parkinson‘s disease (PD) and are largely caused by bradykinesia and hypokinesia. Although previous studies have shown that patients can increase the speed and amplitude of movement with training, apathy, which is also common among people with PD, reduces this prospect. Training with light pods was originally developed for athletes to enhance agility in a way that is motivating. However, this type of training could be ideal for individuals with PD and possibly reduce bradykinesia and its effects. This study used a longitudinal interventional design without a control group to explore the effects of a four-week agility training with light equipment on balance and general mobility in patients with PD, as well as to assess motivational properties. Methods: Seven individuals with PD of the motor subtype “akinetic–rigid” participated in this study. Each participant received training three times per week for four weeks. The training session consisted of five rounds; in each round, participants had to turn off 20 lights. Measurements were performed one and a half weeks before training, at the beginning of the program, and at the end of the program. Balance was assessed with Mini-BESTest, general mobility with Timed Up and Go (TUG), transfer skills with 5× Sit to Stand, walking speed with the 10 m walking test, and the ability to turn on a spot with the 360° Turn Test. Motivational aspects of training were assessed after each training session, with scoring on a scale of 0–10. Results: The training significantly improved overall balance (p < 0.001), especially reactive postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait, while anticipatory balance remained unchanged. Turning ability improved, but mobility, transfer ability, and walking speed did not. Motivation remained consistently high across participants. Conclusions: A four-week light-based agility training program can improve balance and turning ability in people with PD and appears to be motivating. However, no clear effects were found for general mobility, transfer skills, or walking speed. Given the small sample size and absence of a control group, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Parkinson’s Disease)
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11 pages, 781 KB  
Opinion
Empowering People with Parkinson’s: Reframing Self-Management in Parkinson’s—A Critical Reflection of Current Practice
by Julie Jones and Bhanu Ramaswamy
Healthcare 2025, 13(21), 2673; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13212673 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1789
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s is among the fastest-growing neurological disorders, characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect daily function and quality of life. With no cure, sustainable management strategies are essential. Self-management is a key component, enabling people with Parkinson’s to actively manage symptoms, [...] Read more.
Background: Parkinson’s is among the fastest-growing neurological disorders, characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect daily function and quality of life. With no cure, sustainable management strategies are essential. Self-management is a key component, enabling people with Parkinson’s to actively manage symptoms, treatment, and lifestyle, reflecting the wider long-term conditions (LTCs) approach to improving outcomes and well-being of people affected by these conditions. However, more than half of people living with Parkinson’s (PwP) report difficulties in engaging with self-management, often due to limited knowledge, confidence, or access to tailored interventions. Aims: This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings, key drivers, and current evidence base for self-management in Parkinson’s. It examines the relevance and limitations of applying LTC models to a progressive and highly individualized condition such as Parkinson’s. Despite global guideline recommendations, self-management support remains a significant unmet need. While self-management has the potential to improve adherence, symptom control, and activity levels, uncertainties remain about what constitutes effective, meaningful support. There is a need for a nuanced, person-centered approach embedded within integrated care systems. Conclusions: To date, self-management has not demonstrated sustained benefits for PwP, in part due to limitations in how current models are conceptualized and delivered. This paper highlights the challenges of existing approaches and proposes a new framework that enables and empowers PwP and their support networks to live well with Parkinson’s. Rooted in partnership, enablement, and co-production, the proposed model promotes the development of personalized toolkits of strategies that help individuals navigate and mitigate the challenges of life with Parkinson’s. This reframing has important implications for future research, clinical practice, and policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Parkinson’s Disease)
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