Parkinson's Disease-Specific Exercise Protocols Flashcards

A PWR! Moves specialist is assessing a client with PD who exhibits micrographia and small, shuffling steps. These symptoms are best explained by which underlying motor impairment?

Answer: Impaired scaling of movement amplitude due to basal ganglia dysfunction

Micrographia and festinating gait both reflect impaired amplitude scaling from basal ganglia dysfunction, causing the nervous system to generate movements that are consistently too small.

Which form of exercise has been shown in research to potentially slow dopaminergic neuron degeneration and is emphasized in the PWR! approach?

Answer: High-intensity aerobic exercise

High-intensity aerobic exercise has demonstrated potential neuroprotective effects by promoting BDNF and other neurotrophic factors that may slow dopaminergic degeneration.

When a client with PD exhibits freezing of gait (FOG) at doorways, which PWR!-aligned intervention is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Use transverse lines on the floor as visual cues and practice step-over strategies

Transverse visual cues (floor lines) at triggering locations and practicing step-over strategies are evidence-based exercise interventions for doorway-triggered FOG.

Which PWR! Move is MOST directly associated with training the sit-to-stand transfer and lower extremity extensor power?

Answer: PWR!Stand

PWR!Stand trains the sit-to-stand movement pattern, developing the lower extremity extensor strength and weight-shifting strategy essential for this critical daily transfer.

A person with PD in Hoehn and Yahr Stage 3 is beginning to show postural instability. Which balance training progression is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Start with supported weight shifting and gradually reduce external support

For Stage 3 PD with postural instability, start with supported weight shifting and progressively reduce support to safely challenge the postural system without unacceptable fall risk.

What is the primary reason that PWR! Moves emphasizes whole-body, large-amplitude movements rather than isolated limb exercises?

Answer: Whole-body movements promote global sensorimotor recalibration and functional carryover

Whole-body large-amplitude movements provide global sensorimotor recalibration and have better functional transfer to real-world activities than isolated limb exercises in PD.

In PWR! programming, what does the concept of 'amplitude focus' primarily aim to achieve?

Answer: Training patients to consciously generate movements larger than they perceive as necessary

Amplitude focus trains patients to consciously and consistently overshoot their perceived normal movement size because PD impairs amplitude perception, making normal-feeling movements actually too small.