Date of Award

7-2020

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mohamed Elhamadany

Keywords

Parkinson's Disease, LSVT-BIG, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Timed “Up & Go” (TUG), Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand (FTSST), and 30-Second Chair Stand test

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting 60,000 Americans each year.1 This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy, including the LSVT-BIG protocol, for an individual with Parkinson’s.

Case Description. The patient was a 74-year-old female diagnosed with PD who received outpatient physical therapy services four times per week for four weeks.

Intervention. The therapeutic interventions provided included dynamic, large amplitude exercises per the LSVT-BIG protocol as well as gait, stair, and bed mobility training.

Outcomes. Outcome measures included the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Timed “Up & Go” (TUG), Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand (FTSST), and 30-Second Chair Stand test. Over the course of treatment, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in each outcome measure, as well as significantly improved her gait pattern and speed. At discharge, the patient increased functional independence at home and in the community.

Discussion. The patient responded positively to physical therapy treatment and met all established short-term goals as well as two out of three long-term goals. However, more research needs to be done to assess long-term outcomes of the LSVT-BIG protocol for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

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