Visual and Auditory Cues Help PD Patients Walk with Confidence

For PD patients, relaxed walking may be a luxury long forgotten. However, advances in the field of neurological rehabilitation recently revealed wonders of the human mind. By interacting with the external environment, and utilizing a few tricks internally, PD patients can make great strides in retaining motor skills.

Visual and auditory cues are used in rehabilitation to help individuals diagnosed with PD improve their walking movements. Visual cues include parallel lines on the ground, used as a guide for stepping. Auditory cues like high-pitched and low-pitched notes can be executed internally to remind one when to take steps.

Do you have any visual or auditory cues that have brought you success?

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New Culture Method May Give Stem Cell Therapy a Boost

Parkinson’s patients are only one of several groups to benefit from an important new discovery in the world of stem cell therapy. Scientists at the University of Glasgow in Scotland have uncovered a new method for culturing adult stem cells.

Created by an injection-moulding process similar to the method used to produce Blu-ray discs, this new plastic culture medium could yield a large enough batch of stem cells to kick-start the process of cellular regeneration.

Dr. Matthew Dalby, from the University of Glasgow, said, "Our technology could be the first step on the road to developing large-scale stem cell culture factories which would allow for the creation of a wide range of therapies for many common diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease."

Visit our website to learn more about this exciting new stem cell culture method!

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To Ease PD Symptoms, Try Walking in Water
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can affect your gait making a difficult task out of even a short walk. You may begin to take quick, short shuffling steps and stiffen your arms as you walk.
How can you regain your relaxed stride? Try water walking.
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Scientists have only just begun to conclusively prove a genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease, lying to rest former theories that environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals were solely to blame.
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Consider This: The Nuances of Treating PD
Laxatives
Long-term laxative use can reduce your absorption rate of nutrients and dietary supplements, which may lead to increased consumption requirements of certain nutrients in order to absorb the amount you really need.
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According to a small study conducted by Canadian researchers, the benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in controlling tremors and improving motor function for those with Parkinson's disease appears to last at least 10 years.

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