Massage Therapy Treatment and Outcomes for a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease

Posted:Monday, August 4, 2014

Gold Winner
Youlanda Casciaro
MacEwan University
Edmonton, AB, Canada

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a complex neurological disorder. The root cause is unknown, and while treatment with pharmacotherapy is successful, eventually the effectiveness of the medications wears off. The disease is progressive and eventually results in severe disability. Symptoms are well-documented, with the most recognizable manifestations being resting tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity.
Objective: To determine if massage therapy can produce favourable outcomes with respect to the severity of rigidity and tremor in a patient with PD. Methods A 63-year-old female patient with idiopathic, long-standing, Hoehn-Yahr Stage four PD was treated with massage therapy five times over the course of six weeks. A SPES/SCOPA Motor Impairments rating scale was used to measure rigidity and tremor pre- and post-treatment, to gauge treatment effectiveness. The massage treatments consisted of deep longitudinal stroking, muscle squeezing techniques, passive range of motion movements, and general relaxation techniques to encourage a soothing environment while promoting a decrease in muscular tone and hyperactivity.
Results: The results obtained indicated that massage therapy treatment had a positive effect on reducing resting and postural tremor in a patient with long-standing PD. The treatment was also effective to temporarily reduce rigidity during treatment, but did not produce a lasting effect.
Conclusion:
MASSAGE TREATMENT & OUTCOMES FOR A PATIENT WITH PD 4
Further study is required; however, the results of this case were consistent with the limited research available on the subject of massage therapy and Parkinson’s Disease, in that positive change with respect to resting tremor – and to a lesser degree, rigidity – were achieved with focused, intentional treatment.