The two most common types of movement disorders are essential tremor and Parkinson’s Disease. Essential tremor is considered the most common neurologic movement disorder. It may affect as many as 10 million people in the United States.  It is a chronic condition characterized by involuntary, rhythmic tremor of a body part, most typically the hands and arms.  It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Americans are affected by Parkinson’s disease.  The classic signs of Parkinson’s disease are resting tremor on one side of the body, generalized slowness of movement, stiffness of limbs, and gait or balance problems.  The nature and severity of symptoms can vary tremendously from one person to another.

There is no cure for these debilitating diseases, but good medical management may help restore lost functions and protect against secondary symptoms that could otherwise develop. Treatment options may include medications, therapy and/or surgery.

The goal of the Parkinson and Movement Disorders Program is to provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients with disabling movement disorders. The special aspects of PMDP include:

A. Consideration via the Rapid Referral Fax Cover Sheet.

B. Case management to expedite program enrollment, scheduling, and follow-up.

C. Information regarding  travel and local accommodations for out-of-town patients and family.

D. For the patient who may be a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery:

   1. Evaluation by a Neurologist experienced in movement disorders, 
       as needed.

  2. Evaluation by a Neurosurgeon experienced in DBS surgery.

  3. Baseline outpatient assessment of activities of daily living, mobility, swallowing, speech intelligibility and cognitive functioning.

         a. Evaluation team includes Occupational Therapy, Physical
             Therapy, Speech/Language Therapy, and Neuropsychology.

         b. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)
             assessment for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

  4. Bilateral brain electrode surgery.

  5. Pulse generator (battery) surgery.

  6. Stimulation can begin after surgery.

  7. Admission to The Rehabilitation Center for:

        a. Medical management of movement disorder
            medications while DBS is programmed.

        b. Intensive inpatient therapy.

        c. Family education.

               i. Outpatient follow-up team assessments at 3, 6, and 12
                  months.

E. Outpatient therapy by physician referral for:

  1. Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language
      Therapy, and/or Neuropsychology, according to need.

  2. Therapy can focus on muscle strengthening, flexibility, fall risk
      reduction, balance, gait training, activities of daily living,
      swallowing, speech intelligibility, memory, and/or coping with
      illness.

  3. On-going small groups for maintaining skills learned in individual
      therapy.

For more information call (408) 866-4022.