NEUROFT & TMS for Parkinson’s
TMS works to reduce and improve Parkinson’s symptoms by speeding up the rehabilitation process. In Costa Rica, the incidence of people with Parkinson’s disease is similar to that of the rest of the world, which is close to 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a treatment that helps reduce the motor symptoms of this chronic disease.
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is a type of movement disorder produced by a multisystemic neurodegenerative process that affects the central nervous system. This causes the appearance of motor and non-motor symptoms in a person. Parkinson’s can occur between members of the same family, or also in isolated cases. It is a chronic but not a fatal condition, so the affected person will not die from it. Similarly, the disease can progress slowly, or very quickly depending on the person.
Parkinson’s Symptoms
TMS for Parkinson’s at NeuroFT
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is the activation of specific parts of the brain by an electromagnetic field that activates nerve cells in the cerebral cortex promoting more efficient brain cells. Since its invention in 1985, TMS has been an effective treatment for various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Parkinson Treatments at NEUROft
At NeuroFT Clinic, we offer specialized neurological rehabilitation for individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The first step is the NeuroFT Initial Evaluation. This evaluation will determine what is the best choice of treatment and plan of care depending on each person’s stage of disease, functional limitations, and individual characteristics.
Based on the results from this initial evaluation, we can determine the best possible treatment, in unison with your primary medical doctor.
NeuroFT Clinic offers three possible treatments for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease:
1. NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION TREATMENT
NeuroFT Clinic offers specialized neurological rehabilitation focused on improving gait or walking skills, flexibility and agility during activities of daily living and exercise, improving postural stability and balance reactions, improving functional independence, and the quality of life of each of the individual’s we treat.
2. LSVT BIG & LOUD TREATMENT
NeuroFT is the only Clinic in Central America that is Certified in administering the full comprehensive, BIG & LOUD treatments for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This exercise-based treatment is accredited by the LSVT American Association.
The LSVT BIG & LSVT LOUD programs extend over a period of 1 month and includes four 1-hour sessions a week for four weeks. The LSVT LOUD program focuses on improving the tone and quality of voice production for improved communication. The LSVT BIG program LSVT BIG trains you to use the right amount of effort (“bigger” effort). This targets bradykinesia and help individuals to produce normal movement.
Scientific research has shown LSVT BIG programs to help with faster walking speed with improved stride length, decrease their fall risk and fear of falling, improved trunk movements for improved agility during activities of daily living. LSVT BIG along with other exercises have also been shown to improve the body’s response to Parkinson medications. Ideally you should begin these exercises as soon as you are diagnosed to minimize the progression of disease.
3. REPETITVE TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
TMS uses an electromagnetic field to stimulate or inhibit specific areas of the brain to accelerate neurological rehabilitacion and functional independence. The treatment protocols are designed specifically for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease or suffering from post-stroke syndromes. The treatment consists of 10 sessions of rTMS followed immediately by 10 sessiones of neurological rehabilitation after the brain stimulation in a period of two weeks.
Writing after TMS
Writing before TMS
Testimonial from Patient with Parkinson’s
“My grandfather has Parkinson’s. He was very ill and in a wheelchair. Thanks to NEUROft, he is walking again, with a walker, but his legs are working again and regained a little of his independence. Thank you!”
“Seeing my husband standing up and walking after he was in a wheelchair since August 2020 has been a miracle. Thanks to NeuroFT for his careful assessment that led us to a successful spinal surgery and was accompanied by careful rehabilitation. Now he regained his independence of movements, his recovery has been incredible. Thank you very much Natalia and Dra. Riggioni, we will always be grateful to you! ”
TMS Resources for Parkinson’s
