Experience with the Rehabilitation of Patients with Parkinson's Disease Using Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel（LCIG）Treatment for Their Return to Work / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) at workplace and in their social life depending on the extent of disease progression. Because of their disabilities, patients with PD are forced into early retirement compared to other people of their age group. We present our experience with the rehabilitation of three patients with PD using levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) treatment for their return to work. The rehabilitation program comprised the following three modules：1) evaluating the patients' ability to walk indoor for a short time；2) assessing their standing and sitting positions to enable them to more easily handle a device；and 3) improving their upper limb function, including skilled movements, for operating a device in emergency. Finally, all three patients exhibited improvements in the Timed Up and Go test results and device operation. Two of the patients returned to their former workplace within 10 months of LCIG treatment initiation and the remaining patient found new employment 1 year after treatment commencement.In conclusion, establishing a rational support system that involves rehabilitation programs and information sharing across multiple occupations is essential for the return to work of patients with PD receiving LCIG treatment.