ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of the extrapyramidal system, which occurs following the slow and progressive destruction of the pigmented dopaminergic neurons in the brain stem, particularly the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies. Parkinson's disease has a progressive evolution and its signs and symptoms develop in time. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential role of rehabilitation treatment for the prevention of complications in patients with Parkinson's disease, compared to patients with drug therapy alone. The study included 30 patients aged between 50 and 82 years, divided into two groups: group A, including 15 patients who received both anti-Parkinson drug treatment and rehabilitation treatment consisting of massage, kinesiotherapy and occupational therapy, and group B, patients who received only anti-Parkinson drug treatment. The duration of treatment was two weeks. The study included patients with stages I-IV (the Hoehn and Yahr scale). The evaluation scale used was the Garden City Scale for the testing of tremor, bradykinesia, stiffness, gait, posture, facies, upper limb balance, speech, vegetative disorders and the self-care ability. At the end of the study, the study group, with rehabilitation treatment, had statistically significant improvements compared to the control group, with drug treatment alone. The highest improvements were found in the items "stiffness" and "bradykinesia", and due to these, the quality of gait was also improved. The exercises for the increase of facial mobility are extremely important, because they improve the verbal and non-verbal communication function. Our data suggest the fact that early individualized rehabilitation treatment plays an important role in the improvement of the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease, by the reduction of the degree of disability, the prevention of complications and the increase of the quality of life. Each patient should benefit from rehabilitation treatment that should be continued at home for better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]