First-of-its-Kind U.S. Study

A groundbreaking study published this week from clinicians at Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute reveals that a two-week intensive, interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program significantly improves motor and speech functions for people with Parkinson's disease living at home. The study, published in Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, is the first in the United States to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this type of proactive, acute rehabilitation model for this patient population.

Parkinson's disease, the world's fastest-growing neurological disorder, presents ongoing challenges to the quality of life for millions. This new research from Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, a national leader in rehabilitation care, offers a new avenue of hope. The study found that patients admitted from home into the two-week "Parkinson's Wellness Program" experienced statistically significant improvements in mobility, self-care, and daily activities.
Key findings from the study include:

• Improved Mobility and Daily Function: Patients showed significant gains in basic mobility and the ability to perform daily activities, as measured by the AM-PAC and Section GG assessment tools.
• Enhanced Vocal Function: Crucially, the program also led to statistically significant improvements in vocal abilities, a common and frustrating symptom of Parkinson's that can lead to social isolation.
• Safe and Effective Model: The study confirmed the program is a safe, effective way to provide intensive, multidisciplinary care—including physical, occupational, and speech therapy—under the daily supervision of a physiatrist.

This research is significant because it validates a proactive approach to Parkinson's care. Rather than waiting for a major medical event like a fall or hospitalization, this elective program allows individuals to address functional declines and enhance their abilities, improving their quality of life and potentially reducing future healthcare costs. JFK Johnson's Parkinson's Wellness Program is the only inpatient program of its kind in the nation run by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians.