Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Programs

Designed and piloted in 2015 by a group of therapists at Spaulding Orleans, High Intensity Training for Parkinson’s Disease (HIT-PD) offers those in the early stages of PD an intensive training program to reduce the impact of symptoms and possibly slow the progression of disease. HIT-PD is based on emerging research on the importance of early moderate to vigorous intensity exercise and physical therapy in preventing secondary complications of PD. Exercises are designed to improve aerobic fitness, quality of gait, muscle strength, mood, fatigue and cognition.

Participants meet for 90-minute sessions twice weekly for six weeks at a gym in Chatham. Currently HIT-PD is offered five times per year. Spaulding therapists experienced in treating Parkinson’s disease conduct the program.

Self-pay program. Free screening required prior to joining the program. For information, registration, contact Spaulding Orleans Outpatient Center at (508) 240-7203.

The Spaulding Outpatient Centers in Sandwich, Plymouth, and Orleans and their community partners offer the Parkinson’s Disease Wellness Program for persons with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. The six-week program is conducted in collaboration with Boston University and is based on research that shows that specific rehabilitation strategies can improve independence and quality of life for those with Parkinson’s disease. The program is appropriate at any stage of the disease.

The Parkinson’s Wellness Program emphasizes education, exercise, self-management strategies, and peer support. Therapists with extensive training in neuro-rehabilitation teach exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, posture, and verbal communication. It’s hard work that delivers positive results.

Classes meet for 90 minutes twice weekly for six weeks. Self-pay program. Free screening required prior to joining the program.

For information and to register, contact:

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandwich – (508) 833-4078
• Spaulding Framingham Outpatient Center – (508) 872-2200
• Harwich Community Center, conducted by Spaulding Orleans Outpatient Center – (508) 240-7203
• Duxbury Senior Center, conducted by Spaulding Plymouth Outpatient Center – (508) 927-7424

Developed in 2006 and offered in multiple states across the country, Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) improves quality of life by adapting elements of training for boxers to the unique needs of people with Parkinson’s. Exercises address four hallmark features of Parkinson’s: rigidity/stiffness, postural control, tremor, and slowness of movement (bradykinesia).

Through a carefully planned sequence of progressive exercises, boxers improve balance, agility, endurance, posture, and voice. Classes meet twice weekly for 12 weeks at a gym in Sandwich with sessions running consecutively throughout the year. Spaulding therapists certified in RSB lead the 90-minute sessions. In addition to functional improvement, RSB participants appreciate the camaraderie of striving with peers and the motivating power of therapists who are passionate about the program.

Self-pay program. Screening required prior to joining the program. For information and to register, contact (508) 833-4197.

Read the Rock Steady Boxing flyer (PDF) >

Vibrant Voices is an interactive speech exercise group for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Led by a licensed speech and language pathologist certified in LSVT® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment), the program engages participants in voice exercises to increase audibility and articulation while improving overall communication skills. The program is for people who have completed LSVT® and is held once a month at Harwich Community Center.

Free screening required prior to joining the program. Nominal fee. For information, registration, contact Spaulding Outpatient Center Orleans at (508) 240-7203.