Exercise, fall risk, caregiver burden focus of UAMS Parkinson’s meeting
The symposium also included a talk on gastrointestinal aspects of the disease
Physical exercise, avoiding falls, and the importance of providing support to caregivers were the focus of the 10th UAMS Parkinson’s symposium hosted last month by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where the latest advances in diagnosing and treating people with Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonism were also shared.
The April 13 symposium, which also weighed in on the gastrointestinal aspects of the disease, brought together patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Parkinson’s is marked by motor symptoms, including tremors, slowed movement, rigidity, and issues with balance and coordination. Atypical parkinsonism refers to neurological conditions that cause motor symptoms similar to Parkinson’s, but that are marked by additional symptoms that aren’t common in Parkinson’s.
Exercise and diet in Parkinson’s
Hillary Williams, MD, a neurologist at UAMS, talked about motivation and fatigue in Parkinson’s. She shared ideas for improving wellness, such as sleep optimization, diet, and exercise plan.
Exercise is associated with a slower decline in patients’ quality of life, better sleep, and chronic pain reduction. Having a partner for exercise, choosing an exercise that’s enjoyable, setting a habit and small goals, and tracking progress are among the strategies Williams suggested to motivate regular exercise.
Williams also offered ideas about a healthy diet that requires a low effort, such as using frozen, pre-chopped vegetables or having meal-prepped protein readily available.
Jessica Holton, an occupational therapist at UAMS, shared two of her Parkinson’s patients a series of yoga exercises people with Parkinson’s can do, while Phyl McKelvy, a physical therapist discussed fall risk in people with Parkinson’s, including the factors that may increase it and strategies to prevent falling according to patients’ symptoms. McKelvy said strategies include practicing exercise, using night lights, and installing grab bars at home, or using assistive devices at home and away.
Gastrointestinal issues can also be an issue for people with Parkinson’s, said Aditya Boddu, MD, a movement disorder neurologist at UAMS, who remarked that a Mediterranean diet or the use of probiotics can help manage these symptoms. Probiotics are specific bacteria and yeast with beneficial effects on the body, generally improving gut health, that are used as dietary supplements.
The patient’s ‘backbone’
The high burden of caring for people with Parkinson’s was the topic of a talk by Lee Isaac, a neuropsychologist at UAMS. Caregivers are responsible for
“As caregivers, you are the backbone of caring for the Parkinson’s patient,” Isaac said in the release of the daily tasks caregivers need to perform, like managing medications, helping through daily activities, or offering emotional support. “You’re the boots on the ground, and with that comes additional burdens and stress. It affects your physical, emotional, financial, relational and social self.”
Isaac shared signs of emotional and physical fatigue that caregivers should be aware of, such as changes in weight or sleep patterns, frequent headaches or other pain, social withdrawal, increased anxiety and depression, and a sense of being hopeless or overwhelmed.
“If you notice them, that is a good time to react, to intervene,” Isaac said, who noted that caregivers have several resources available to help in their caregiver role, with the most important being respite care. “The acceptance of help is very important. It’s not a sign of weakness or failure. He said it’s important that caregivers take time for themselves and learn to reduce the things they need to take care of, such as putting bills on automatic payment.
“The goal is to off-load something you no longer need to do, to give you peace of mind,” said Isaac, who advised caregivers to join support groups where they can share lived experiences and practical tools.
To reinforce the importance of support groups both for patients and caregivers, Rohit Dhall, MD, a neurologist and chair of the department of neurology at UAMS, took the opportunity to list those available for Parkinson’s and atypical Parkinsonism at UAMS.
UAMS is designated a Comprehensive Care Center by the Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network. The network recognizes Parkinson’s centers that provide comprehensive clinical care, community education, information, and resources, to those affected by the disease.
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