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Since our launch in mid-2015, we have been dedicated to publishing high-quality content for the international Parkinson’s community. To all our readers and supporters who have helped us in our journey so far, thank you. We are truly grateful for your support.

Parkinson’s Life has been a big success, and we want to continue growing and improving the experience for our readers. Our aim is to be a leading platform for the global community. However, our work relies on the support of others. So, if you read us, if you’ve shared one of our stories, if you value what we do – then please make a donation that will help us carry on delivering Parkinson’s Life to the world.

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Why is it harder to cross obstacles when you have Parkinson’s disease?

A team of researchers at São Paulo State University, Brazil, have offered insights on why people with Parkinson’s disease can find it more difficult to cross obstacles than those without the condition. As part of the study, 13 people with Parkinson’s disease and 11 controls stepped over an obstacle 15 times, and scientists measured the distance between the foot and the obstacles during the step. They found that step-length synergy – the ability of the musculoskeletal system to adapt movement when encountering an obstacle – was 53% lower in people with the condition. “There are patients in our exercise group who fall three or four times a week,” said Fabio Augusto Barbieri, one of the study authors. “It’s important to understand how these patients’ gait and locomotion adapt while crossing obstacles so that we can improve step-length synergy.”

Take part in The Parkinson Tulip Project

This April, The World Parkinson Coalition is launching The Parkinson Tulip Project – a global collaborative photography campaign to raise awareness of the world’s fastest growing neurological disease. As part of the campaign, which is supported by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, members of the Parkinson’s community are invited to share a photo of themselves with tulips – the official symbol of Parkinson’s disease. The project will run until April 2022, and all images shared by the community will be displayed at the sixth World Parkinson Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, every photo submitted will be entered into The Parkinson Tulip Project raffle. The World Parkinson Coalition hopes that the project will “give a face and name to those impacted by Parkinson’s” and “inspire the community, reminding people touched by Parkinson’s disease that they are not alone”.

Looking after dental health with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease symptoms and medications can cause dental health problems – including difficulty cleaning teeth and increased tooth decay. Now, a study from researchers in Brazil has offered dental care recommendations to help people living with the condition. Analysing data from 14 studies, the scientists highlighted people with Parkinson’s can have “reduced quality of oral health and hygiene”. Their advice included routine teeth-brushing, as well as regular trips to a dentist. They also suggested brushing teeth with both hands, as symptoms like tremor and rigidity could mean using one hand is more difficult. The researchers wrote: “Although oral diseases are largely preventable, they are among the most prevalent diseases globally, thus creating a public health problem. “Despite the relatively low level of evidence in studies on oral health among patients with Parkinson’s disease, the data retrieved for this systematic review allowed us to create a set of simple guidelines.”

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Why is it harder to cross obstacles when you have Parkinson’s disease?

Take part in The Parkinson Tulip Project

Looking after dental health with Parkinson’s disease

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Support us

Share this story

Why is it harder to cross obstacles when you have Parkinson’s disease?

Take part in The Parkinson Tulip Project

Looking after dental health with Parkinson’s disease

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Subscribe

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