The number of people affected by Parkinson’s disease is increasing, and in Italy, there are 300,000 affected individuals, with onset often occurring even in young adults after the age of 30.
Thanks to advancements in medicine, early diagnosis is now possible, and numerous effective pharmacological treatments are available, including levodopa and dopamine agonists, which ensure good motor control for many years.
In addition to pharmacological therapies, there are also surgical and infusion therapies that, in specific cases, can significantly improve the quality of life for patients, even after 15-20 years of the disease.
Among the symptoms of Parkinson’s are difficulties in walking, maintaining balance, and the phenomenon of Freezing of gait (sudden motor block).
Non-pharmacological Treatments for Parkinson’s
In addition to medication, physical activity also plays an essential role in maintaining the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.
In particular, activity in thermal water represents an ideal environment for preserving good movement control and correcting gait and posture disorders.
Now, an innovative medical device also aids in treating these symptoms. GONDOLA® is a portable device that can be used at home.
The device is at the heart of the new program Breaking Parkinson, proposed by the rehabilitation and physical medicine center at the Ermitage Bel Air Medical Hotel in Abano Terme, as part of neurological rehabilitation initiatives, particularly aimed at patients with Parkinson’s.
Just a few minutes, twice a week, and this tool enables therapy through non-invasive and side-effect-free stimulation called AMPS (Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation).
“The rehabilitation program – explains Marco Maggia, owner of the Ermitage – has been designed under the scientific supervision of Professor Angelo Antonini, a neurologist and researcher among the leading experts on Parkinson’s disease in Italy. In 2017, a project of rehabilitative vacation dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease began. The project aims to treat symptoms with a multidisciplinary and residential approach. Following the experiences at the rehabilitation and physical medicine center within the hotel, during the first months of 2017, a complete protocol was designed, delivered through weekly modules that include: neurological and physiatric assessment; individual and assisted motor rehabilitation both in thermal water and in the gym; personalized management of the dietary program; use of the GONDOLA® system; neurocognitive stimulation.
Gondola: Plantar Stimulation
Often, people with Parkinson’s struggle to find equipped facilities and competent personnel to establish a recovery path.
In recent years, some specialized thermal facilities have developed a specific program for the recovery of patients with Parkinson’s, with rehabilitation sessions in thermal water under the supervision of specialized physiotherapists.
Recently, a new partner has been added to this strategy, the foot stimulation system of Gondola, which allows, with personalized sessions, to correct plantar load in these patients with significant benefits in walking.
The stimulation system is designed for home therapy for Parkinson’s, to improve motor symptoms of the condition, such as slow movement, short steps, and balance problems, as well as Freezing of gait.
Specifically, the device is applied to the feet twice a week, to receive a neurostimulation lasting 2 minutes; the benefits, for those who respond positively, last from three to five days after the treatment.
