A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing and Red Hill Studios found that a computer-based physical therapy game can improve the quality of life for those with Parkinson's disease.The researchers studied 20 participants over a 12-week period. At the end of the study, 65 percent of the players demonstrated longer stride length, 55 percent had an increase in their gait velocity and 55 percent had overall a boost in balance confidence.
"These initial studies show the promise of custom-designed physical therapy games promoting specific movements and gestures that can help patients get better," said Dr. Glenna Dowling, a professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Physiological Nursing. "Now that we have this preliminary positive result, we want to conduct a longer term clinical trial with more subjects to confirm these initial findings."
Those who suffer from Parkinson's or have a loved one who does may want to look into an assisted living facility so that the patient receives the care and the treatment that they need.
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