Nervous System - Parkinson's Disease
Description
This station will exemplify how Parkinson's impacts the lives and daily tasks of older adults diagnosed with this disease. Parkinson’s disease, sometimes referred to as shaky palsy, is a form of parkinsonism, which is a group of symptoms involving abnormal movements. Parkinson’s is a chronic, slow-progressing disease that is the most common neurological movement disease in older adults. The disease results from a lack of neurotransmitter dopamine production and sensitivity amongst receptors in the brain. Lack of dopamine activity contributes to uncoordinated muscle movements throughout the body (1).
Symptoms of Parkinson’s can include pronounced tremor, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia, in which standing, walking, and balance are impaired. Other common symptoms include the increased likelihood of falls, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Psychological symptoms can include depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and emotional irritability (1).
Through the following two simulations you will have an opportunity to experience tremors and muscle rigidity that are associated with Parkinson’s disease. Through this experience you will gain a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional strain that this disease can have on those diagnosed, ultimately evoking a greater sense of empathy towards aging individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and other age-related disorders of the nervous system.
Nervous System Simulation #1 FIGHT THE RESISTANCE
In this simulation, Fight the Resistance, you will experience one of the major physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, muscle rigidity. Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurological movement disorder in older adults, making muscle rigidity a challenge that many individuals face (1). You will undergo a tugging motion on your arm from a resistance band that imitates muscle rigidity experienced by those with Parkinson’s daily. By the end of this simulation, you will understand how muscle rigidity is not only a physical symptom of Parkinson's but also carries emotional implications.
Materials
- Resistance bands, or a similar piece of fabric
- Ex. a scarf or rope to tug on the arm of the writer
- A volunteer assistant to tug on your arm
- Family member, friend, housemate etc.
- A writing utensil
- Pen, pencil, marker, etc.
- Something to write on
- Paper, whiteboard, etc.
Procedure
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Start by placing all items out on a table in front of you, including your writing utensil and something to write on.
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Allow your volunteer assistant to wrap the resistance band around your writing arm and have them pull slightly to simulate rigidity of movement.
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Attempt to write out the grocery list below while the volunteer is pulling your arm with the resistance band.
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Milk
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Bananas
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Chocolate chips
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Broccoli
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Pasta
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Chicken
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Helpful tip: If you do not have a volunteer to pull the resistance band, try tying the band to a chair behind you to simulate similar resistance.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 5 minutes.
Reflection Questions
- How did you feel trying to write out the grocery list?
- Imagine the frustration you felt while doing this simulation. How do you think older adults would deal with this compromised mobility every day?
- How can you support someone who lives with this type of muscle rigidity?
Nervous System Simulation #2 DON'T SPILL THE PILLS
In this simulation, you will experience the tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease. Tremors can be described as the shaky movement of a limb that can happen during active movement and/or periods of rest. These frustrating movements are one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s and can result in an inability to carry out the normal activities of daily living such as standing, walking, or keeping balance1. This simulation will aim to showcase the experiences of living with these tremors, and will hopefully encourage a greater level of empathy towards older adults living with Parkinson’s disease.
Materials
- A handheld vibration device:
- Options include a cellphone, electrical toothbrush, massager or any other vibration device you have around the house
- A medium to secure the device to your hand.
- Options include rubber bands, wrist bands, etc.
- Empty pill container and sorter
- If you do not have a sorter, you can put out 7 small containers labelled by day to drop the pills in, or mimic a pill sorting container by drawing one on paper with 7 small squares to mimic each day of the week
- At least 7 different shaped or coloured pills
- Can also use beads, candy, etc.
Procedure
- Begin with an empty pill sorter (or drawing of squares on paper) and a pill container filled with your pill medium.
- Allow an assistant to fasten the vibration devices to your hands using the band of choice.
- Start the vibration device so your hands begin to vibrate.
- Sort the pills into each container by colour while undergoing the simulated tremors caused by the vibration devices.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 5 minutes.
Reflection Questions
- Which part of this simulation did you find the most challenging?
- This simulation was only a few minutes long. How would you feel if you lived with these
tremors all the time? - What other daily tasks do you do that would be impacted by living with these tremors of Parkinson’s disease?
