The impacts on mood, memory, and executive function that Parkinson's disease (PD) can bring about may seem like minor annoyances, but they can pack a wallop over time. There is no sense letting them go unattended, particularly when there are effective remedies on the horizon.
One such remedy is cognitive rehabilitation therapy. In this sort of therapy, you solve puzzles and practice all kinds of cognitive tasks on a computer. For example, in order to enhance your ability to stay focused, you might be presented with 30 trials where you track what happens to a visual icon as it moves across the screen and in and out of visual scenes.
How Well Does Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Work?
Let's take a look at some of the research:
One small study that looked at the use of this therapy in PD patients, published in the Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics in 2004, assessed the effects of a 6-week rehabilitation program that included both motor and cognitive training. The core of the program was repeated practice trials on computerized cognitive exercises. At the end of the 6-week training period, patients showed a significant improvement on several standardized cognitive tests of creativity and memory.
A 2006 study of PD patients, published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences, assessed effects of training on a range of executive function exercises over ten treatment sessions (30 minutes each). Those patients who received executive function treatment demonstrated significant improvement in abilities such as organizing performance of a task compared to those who did not receive the treatment. This improvement was independent of individuals' age, intelligence or health.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy: A Convenient Treatment
The nice thing about these sorts of cognitive rehab programs is that they can be done in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer and the software package that runs the rehab exercises. You can very often get this rehab software free online or from your doctor. Many physical and occupational therapists also use these programs. If you cannot find a program online or via one of your doctors, try contacting a neuropsychologist (your doctor can likely refer you to one). The neuropsychologist will be able to track a program down for you.
Before You Try It
Of course, always speak to your PD doctor before undertaking any new rehab program of any kind. You do not want to get a rehab program that contains only complex exercises. That will only discourage you. You need to work with your doctor or a neuropsychologist to find the cognitive rehab program that is right for you.Sources:
Mathias, J.L. (2003). Neurobehavioral functioning of persons with Parkinson’s disease. Applied Neuropsychology, 10(2), 57-68.
Sammer, G., Reuter, I., Hullmann, K., Kaps, M., & Vaitl, D. (2006). Training of executive functions in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 248(1-2), 115-119.
Sinforiani, E., Banchieri, L., Zucchella, C., Pacchetti, C., & Sandrini, G. (2004). Cognitive rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, Suppl. 9, 387-391.
