An Interdisciplinary Functional Exercise Program for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Series

Background: Traditional exercise programs are beneficial in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD). Little research exists on interdisciplinary, functional exercise programs designed and implemented by licensed therapists. Method: Our case series presents the development, implementation, and results of an interdisciplinary functional exercise program for individuals with PD and the effects this program had on daily functioning and quality of life. Participants were recruited via flyers, email, and phone communication, and consented to data collection for our objectives. Participants attended two sessions per week for 8 weeks. Sessions addressed fine and gross motor skills, dexterity, cognition, functional strength, gait, balance, and posture. Outcome measures were chosen before the implementation of pre-assessments, including PD-specific evaluations of cognition, mobility, gait, balance, coordination, strength, dexterity, and quality of life. Results: Seven participants (4 M, 3 F) with PD completed pre-assessment, intervention, and post-assessment. As hypothesized, they demonstrated improvement across multiple outcomes, mostly in mobility metrics. Discussion: Findings from this case series suggest that an interdisciplinary, functional exercise program integrating occupational and physical therapy can meaningfully improve mobility, reduce bodily discomfort, and positively influence aspects of quality of life for individuals with PD. The program’s emphasis on functional tasks and interdisciplinary collaboration highlights the value of tailoring interventions to both motor and non-motor challenges. These results support further investigation of interdisciplinary exercise approaches as a complementary component of traditional care for this population.