Phenotype to Function: Personalizing Parkinson’s Rehab (Recorded Webinar)

Video Runtime: 161 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 33 Minutes

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.

Despite the growing body of evidence surrounding Parkinson’s disease (PD) phenotypes, many rehabilitation professionals continue to utilize a “one-size-fits-all” approach that fails to account for the distinct neurobiological drivers of the disease. This course addresses the critical clinical gap between traditional PD exercise protocols and the emerging science of neuro-phenotyping, specifically focusing on the tremor-dominant (TD), postural instability gait disorder (PIGD), and young-onset (YOPD) populations. By diving deep into the interplay between dopaminergic and cholinergic pathways, as well as the “body-first” versus “brain-first” models of progression, participants will learn to move beyond symptom management toward precision-based care. The course provides a comprehensive framework for integrating autonomic and sensory screening into the motor examination to better predict and manage challenges such as freezing of gait, orthostatic hypotension, and physiological fatigue. This session empowers clinicians to synthesize complex pathophysiology into actionable, task-specific interventions. Learners will leave with the ability to construct individualized programs that optimize functional participation and long-term neuroplasticity for the diverse spectrum of people living with Parkinson’s.

Learning Outcomes

• Interpret “body-first” and “brain-first” pathophysiological mechanisms to determine the prioritization of nonmotor symptoms and early clinical presentation
• Evaluate motor and nonmotor findings during a clinical examination to classify a patient into tremor-dominant (TD), postural instability gait disorder (PIGD), or young-onset (YOPD) phenotypes
• Design individualized intervention strategies for people with the TD phenotype of PD that specifically address the intersection of sensory processing, motor control, and fatigue
• Formulate task-specific rehabilitation plans for people with the PIGD phenotype of PD by integrating autonomic and sensory strategies into functional training
• Develop a holistic, individualized plan of care for the YOPD population that prioritizes symptom management and long-term brain health while considering unique psychosocial needs, work–life dynamics, and social connectedness
• Synthesize key principles from phenotype-specific presentations to construct a holistic management plan that addresses the long-term interaction between motor, nonmotor, and autonomic challenges across the Parkinson’s spectrum