Course Description:

Disease modification, compensation, and rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease (PD) are three
different tracts. Within these, it is common to see the rehabilitation for Parkinson’s disease
discussed as “one approach” and oversimplified into a one-size-fits-all schema. This course will
further delineate the subtypes of PD, include a thorough discussion of the various subtypes
(phenotypes), and begin to ascribe treatment strategies specific to each presentation. We will
address the primary symptoms in PD. Thereafter, the course builds on this well-established
classification paradigm for patients with primary tremor and rigidity and those with primary
dyskinesia, freezing of gait, posture, and festination. Clinicians in the audience will be invited to
use the paradigm to further the discussion of subtyping PD and researching within these
categories as well as extend into matters of compensation and disease modification. We will
provide video and case study application across three different classifications of Parkinson’s
disease and reveal applicable treatment strategies that are salient for all rehabilitation
professionals in the acute, home, inpatient (SNF and IRF), and outpatient settings.