Sensory-enhanced therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and gait. It is caused by degeneration of nerve cells which produces dopamine, in part of the brain called substantia nigra which controls movement. Gait disturbances are among the most troubling problems experienced by Parkinson's Disease patients. Their gait pattern is typically characterised by hesitant and short shuffling steps which results in imbalance and falls which inturn can cause greatest handicap to these individuals. It is stated that in Parkinson's Disease, basal ganglia's internal cueing function for normal movement sequences is deficit. Sensory-enhanced therapy may be able to compensate for the loss of this internal motor generator through the allocation of attention and external reference point or cues. Incorporation of external sensory cues in the gait rehabilitation program can improve the movement strategies in Parkinson's Disease individuals. Sensory-enhanced therapy using visual and auditory cues proves to be a novel, feasible and inexpensive tool for improving gait in Parkinson's Disease.