The patient with Parkinson's disease: Part I - Treating the motor symptoms

Purpose: This two-part article provides the nurse practitioner (NP) with information on the developments in the pathophysiology and expanded treatment options in the motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). The discussion provides treatment strategies that may offer improved ability to manage the disabling symptoms of this neurodegenerative disorder. Data sources: Review of scientific literature from PubMed search for English language articles on PD from 1998 to 2005 and books or chapters in textbooks published on the disease in the same time frame provided the data source for this article. The content reflects our clinical judgments and experience from clinical practice in the Movement Disorder Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Conclusions: The high prevalence of the disease and important advances in its management means that the NP needs to have knowledge of the disorder and the combination of multiple treatment options available for both the motor and the nonmotor symptoms. Implications for practice: PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting 1% of persons over the age of 60 in the United States. As prevalence increases with age, so does the need for early accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the PD by the clinician. Advances in the treatment for the motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD provide the clinician with increased options to improve the patient's quality of life.