Training Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: Strategies, Devices, and Guidelines

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

Thousands of CE Courses
Patient Education
Home Exercise Program
And more

Subscribe Now

First Chapter Free Buy Course

Video Runtime: 71 Minutes; Learning Assessment Runtime: 38 Minutes

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease have gait deficits from the time of their diagnosis and these deficits grow worse and become more challenging to manage with the advancing of the disease. This course will provide an overview of common gait presentations and their underlying causes. Clinicians will learn how to choose the best outcome tool for their patients’ needs and then learn about practical, evidence-based options for treatment interventions. Upon completion of this course, clinicians will feel more empowered to help their patients with gait training, no matter the level of impairment.

Meet your instructor

Heather Cianci

Heather Cianci, PT, MS, GCS, is the outpatient neurological team leader and founding therapist of the Dan Aaron Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Center (Penn Therapy & Fitness) at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA—part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Heather received her bachelor’s in physical therapy from…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

1. General Gait Training Strategies

This course will focus on practical, evidence-based treatment strategies for common gait deficits in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Each stage of the disease presents with gait changes that require different strategies. From those with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YPOD) to later stages, this course will help you feel better prepared for helping your patients stay functional and safe.

2. Strategies for those With YOPD

This chapter will cover gait training techniques particular to those with YOPD. Early gait training in those with YOPD is vital to potentially slowing further gait deficits.

3. Freezing of Gait, Dual-Tasking, and Turning

This chapter will discuss how cognition influences gait, and how therapists can assess and manage issues with FOG and turning. The use of dual-task training will also be covered.

4. Festination and Retropulsion

This chapter will review the common causes of festination and retropulsion, along with treatment options for preventing and managing them in order to avoid falls and fear of falling.

5. Using Attentional Strategies, Choosing Assistive Devices, and Guidelines for Treadmill Training

This chapter discusses how to use visual, verbal, and tactile strategies to enhance attention to gait to prevent falls. It will also review the use of assistive devices and the treadmill during gait training to optimize safety and efficiency.

More courses in this series

Understanding and Assessing Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Heather Cianci