By Christina Atkinson, PT, DPT, CFPS, with Ascend Rehab
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a condition that affects movement, making everyday activities harder over time. People with PD may experience stiffness, slow movements, tremors, and trouble with walking and balance. However, special exercise programs can help people with PD move better and stay independent for longer.
Two well-known programs designed for Parkinson’s rehabilitation are LSVT BIG/Big for Life and Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!). At Ascend Rehabilitation, we’re fortunate to have therapists that hold these advanced certifications.
What is LSVT BIG?
LSVT BIG (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment BIG) is a special physical therapy program designed to help people with PD move more easily. It focuses on big movements to improve walking, balance, and everyday activities like buttoning a shirt or getting out of a chair. People in the program practice large, exaggerated movements, repeated daily, to help retrain the brain. The program lasts for four weeks, with four sessions per week, plus daily exercises at home. Research has shown that LSVT BIG can help people with PD move more confidently and perform daily tasks more easily while helping to slow overall progression of impairments.
What is PWR!?
Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) is another movement program designed for people with PD. It was created by Dr. Becky Farley, a neuroscientist and physical therapist. PWR! builds on LSVT BIG, offering more flexibility and focusing on lifelong exercise. This program includes four main movements:
1. PWR! Up – Helps with posture and getting up from a chair.
2. PWR! Rock – Improves balance and turning.
3. PWR! Twist – Helps with flexibility and coordination.
4. PWR! Step – Works on walking and preventing falls.
Exercises can be done in different ways, such as in a gym, at home, or in group classes. PWR! encourages fun and social activities like dancing, boxing, and yoga and allows for customization to tailor the program to specific needs or interests.
Which Program is Better?
Both LSVT BIG and PWR! help people with PD move better, but they have different approaches:
— LSVT BIG is a structured, short-term program focused on big movements.
— PWR! is more flexible and encourages ongoing exercise in fun, engaging ways.
Ultimately, regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage Parkinson’s disease, and use of programs such as these help people stay active, improve their movements, and maintain their independence.
Doctors and physical/occupational therapists will work together to decide which program is right for each person. Some people with PD use both programs to get the best results, which is a common practice at Ascend Rehabilitation. Ascend is also proud to offer community-based fitness programming and personal training services to help keep clients motivated and aid in early detection of mobility issues following completion of their rehabilitation program.
Christina Atkinson, PT, DPT, CFPS is located at our Ascend Rehab location at Saint Therese of Woodbury. Call 651-209-9160 to schedule your evaluation. Atkinson was honored to be named to the Frontline Honors Class of 2024 by Senior Housing News.