Physical Therapy and Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease (PTDBS)
Parkinson Disease
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Parkinson Disease focused on measuring Deep brain stimulation, Balance, Gait, Physical Therapy, Parkinson disease
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease
- Hoehn & Yahr stages II-IV
- At least 1 year post-STN-DBS
- Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism
- Hoehn & Yahr stages I or V
- Evidence of dementia (MMSE < 24/30)
- Inability to walk 10 meters with or without assistive device
Sites / Locations
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine - Program in Physical Therapy
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Physical Therapy
Control
Participants assigned to Physical Therapy (PT) will attend a 1-hour visit with a physical therapist twice weekly for 8 weeks. The PT intervention, which will mirror traditional PT for those with PD, will include exercises designed to improve balance and gait.
Participants in the control group will receive the current standard of care following STN-DBS. As such, STN-DBS settings and anti-PD medications will be optimized according to the determination of their neurologist in the same fashion as they will be in the experimental group. Those in the control group will not receive prescribed exercise from a physical therapist.