Parkinson's Disease and "Prehab"

Prehabilitation or "prehab" is when people complete targeted exercises to optimise their strength and conditioning, usually before a medical procedure or period of recovery and inactivity, to help mitigate complications afterwards. The power of prehab is utilised by Physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, but though it is something I have discussed with my Speech & Language Therapy colleagues, it seems that the practice hasn't really reached us yet. Maybe because realistically many of us are short on time and too overwhelmed to try to reach patients and get ahead of ourselves!

With neurodegenerative diseases, there is going to be a deterioration of some motor skills, potentially including speech and swallowing. What if we use the idea of "prehab" before we get to the point of having a moderate-severe impairment - when someone might think to contact a Speech Therapist or ask their Neurologist for a referral?

For example, would starting swallowing exercises or voice exercises early on in a person's Parkinson's Disease journey delay the onset, reduce the severity or potentially stop swallowing difficulties developing?

Let's think about what that could look like for a person with Parkinson's.

• Starting a daily practice of swallowing exercises

• Swallowing with intent and focus

• Ensuring to continue with social interactions

• Following principles of LSVT LOUD Therapy or SPEAK OUT Therapy by completing vocal warm ups and speaking with purpose and volume

• Considering EMST (Expiratory Muscle Strength Training)

Once you have symptoms of speech or swallowing problems in Parkinson's Disease or other neuro-degenerative diseases there is still time and space to make changes and improvements. However, the earlier you can start, the better!

Early identification and action can significantly enhance communication and swallowing abilities, leading to improved quality of life for patients. By addressing these issues promptly, individuals can experience meaningful improvements and maintain greater independence.

Recommendations

• Seek Professional Help: Consult with a Speech & Language Therapist to receive tailored assessments and interventions.

• Engage in Therapy Early - think prehab! Initiate speech and swallowing therapy as soon as symptoms appear, or even before they appear, in order to maximise the potential for improvement.

• Practice Regularly: Implement daily exercises and strategies recommended by your therapist to reinforce skills and enhance muscle control.

• Stay Informed: Educate yourself and your caregivers about the progression of symptoms and available treatments to better manage the condition.

• Join Support Groups: Connect with others facing similar challenges to share experiences, resources, and encouragement.

  
  

If you want to talk about starting a daily practice or implementing some of theses strategies into your life, contact a Speech & Language Therapist.