Occupational therapy is a rehabilitation discipline that supports individuals in maintaining the ability to perform the activities they want or need to do. In Parkinson’s disease, the goal is not only to improve physical functioning but also to preserve the person’s independence, self-confidence, and social participation.
Occupational therapists create individualized intervention plans and focus on daily activities such as dressing, meal preparation, and personal care. Through exercises that enhance hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, balance, energy conservation, and attention span, the patient’s functional performance can be improved.
Falls and injuries are common in Parkinson’s disease. For this reason, occupational therapists evaluate the patient’s living environment and make safety-enhancing modifications.
Simple but effective adjustments—such as non-slip rugs, grab bars, ergonomic kitchen tools, and high-contrast color arrangements—can reduce fall risks while helping patients feel more confident in daily tasks.
Occupational therapy does not only address physical skills; it also focuses on psychosocial effects such as anxiety, stress, social isolation, and depression that often accompany Parkinson’s. Group activities, hobby-based programs, relaxation exercises, and time management strategies help strengthen emotional resilience.
Through these approaches, individuals with Parkinson’s can regain a sense of meaning in their lives, maintain a sense of productivity, and take an active role in coping with the disease.
Dr. Lecturer Occupational Therapist Beyza Aslı Bilsel emphasized the multifaceted benefits of occupational therapy in Parkinson’s disease:
“Occupational therapy aims not only to enhance movement ability in Parkinson’s patients but also to preserve their meaningful roles in daily life. Remaining active physically, cognitively, and emotionally provides strong protection against disease progression. In this sense, occupational therapy is a holistic approach—it heals both the body and the mind.”
Bilsel highlighted that early occupational therapy interventions can slow down functional decline as the disease progresses and help individuals maintain their independent living skills for a longer time.
Recent global studies have shown that occupational therapy interventions improve motor performance, enhance independence in daily activities, and increase life satisfaction in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Activity-based interventions, in particular, promote active participation and support neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections and strengthen motor control.
Although Parkinson’s disease may slow down the pace of life, occupational therapy makes it possible to maintain a meaningful, productive, and balanced lifestyle.
Occupational therapy emerges as a hopeful support process that helps individuals reconnect not only with their abilities but also with life itself.
