IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-7-7-16090 Original Research Paper Holistic rehabilitation for Parkinson's Disease Dr. July 2018 7 7 01 02 ABSTRACT

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by increased rigidity, hypokinesia and tremors, because of disruption of dopaminergic pathways involving the basal ganglia. PD is associated with many non–motor and neuropsychiatric disturbances. The management of PD has traditionally centred on drug therapy with levodopa viewed as the “gold standard” treatment. However, even with optimal medical management, patients with PD still experience a deterioration of body function, daily activities and quality of life. For this reason, there has been increasing support for the inclusion of complimentary therapies in an existing rehabilitation model as an adjuvant to pharmacological and neurosurgical treatment, and a call for the move towards multidisciplinary management of this multidimensional condition with a holistic perspective.