Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding the problem and unlocking the solution to freezing of gait

Course Description

A select subgroup of persons with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) experience the phenomena known as Freezing of Gait (FOG). People who experience FOG exhibit impairment in specific cognitive domains, including attentional control and conflict resolution.  These cognitive deficits are related to reduced mobility and quality of life. Understanding cognitive deficits and their relationship to mobility can yield insights into effective treatment. However, to date clinical interventions to arrest or reduce the frequency of FOG are largely transient or contrived – with limited carryover.

This presentation will help clinicians and educators alike understand the physiology of FOG, demonstrate the environments that precipitate freezing; and identify the cognitive impairments typical of PD in persons with and without FOG. Participants will be presented with a two-fold approach to reducing falls and functional impairment from FOG: 1) rehabilitative – through restitutive dual task and cognitive training; and 2) compensatory- through education (awareness and prioritization). Video case studies and specific examples of how to test for FOG will be presented. Additionally video  demonstrations will be shown applying each approach and translating this information into interventions that will improve cognition and FOG.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1) Identify relevant cognitive/motor changes that occur in PD and the evidence on objective testing of each impairment

2) Apply recent evidence in clinical interventions to reduce the frequency FOG and the functional limitations from cognitive impairment in PD.

3) Identify the best clinical measures to detect capacity and responsiveness in dual task cost for persons with FOG in PD.

4) Stimulate research furthering the cognitive / motor interplay in PD.

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Intermediate

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to polling questions asked throughout the webinar.