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Instructional Course

Neurodegenerative Disease

Leadership

Neuroplasticity

SOAR, Strengthening Opportunities and Accessibility in Rehabilitation

IC13: The Parkinson’s Exercise and Rehabilitation Ecosystem: Bridging Neuroplasticity, Evidence-based Programs, and Community Engagement

Monday, October 27, 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM  
Location:  ROOM: Joliet Room >>> DIRECTIONS Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed right. Turn right at the Marquette Foyer. The Joliet Room is located at the end of the hall on your left.
This course unites multiple Parkinson’s exercise/rehab programs and advocacy organizations to address the transformative role of exercise in Parkinson's management, the synergistic potential of evidence-based exercise/rehab programs, and the need for community-driven networks to facilitate access. The session will a) introduce the collaborative efforts of these organizations to implement “exercise as medicine” for people with Parkinson’s, b) explore advances in neuroscience that have propelled exercise/rehab to the forefront of Parkinson’s care, c) present scientific evidence of four example exercise/rehab programs (Dance for PD®, LSVT BIG/LOUD, Rock Steady Boxing, Pedaling for Parkinson’s) followed by an interactive demonstration of each, d) and provide guidance from advocacy organizations on how exercise/rehab programs can engage people with Parkinson’s in their communities. The 4-hour session balances scientific foundations with hands-on learning, emphasizing complementary roles and community-building strategies for reframing exercise as a foundational pillar, rather than optional adjunct, of Parkinson’s care.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define how activity-dependent neuroplasticity in Parkinson's disease has played a key role in bringing rehabilitation and exercise to the forefront of Parkinson’s care.
  • Compare and contrast methodologies of different exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s (e.g., Dance for PD vs. Rock Steady Boxing) and their potential for complementary implementation.
  • Summarize how community engagement networks facilitate access to exercise and rehabilitation programs to address the diverse needs of people with Parkinson's disease.