Improved Orthostatic Tolerance = Better Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Improved Orthostatic Tolerance = Better Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease: Does a Successful Treatment of Orthostatic Hypotension Measurably Enhance Attention and Memory Functions in Parkinson's Disease

Study on orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson's disease

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson's disease (PD) may not only be related to dizziness or light headedness but to deficits in attention, visual, and verbal memory. Would a successful treatment of OH which includes physiotherapy significantly improve OH and these cognitive deficits? By means of a randomized cross-over trial, we want to measure and compare the effects of OH therapy on orthostatic tolerance, as well as on attention, visuo-spatial working memory, and verbal memory in patients with PD. If confirmed, therapy of orthostatic hypotension would provide a sound and simple approach to improve those cognitive deficits originating from orthostatic hypotension.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parkinson's patients
• Diagnostis of OH
• able to perform an ambulatory physiotherapy at Aachen University Hospital.

Exclusion Criteria:

• deep brain stimulation or Pacemaker
• severe psychiatric disease
• severe heart disease
• severe vascular encephalopathy
• dementia
• pregnant or lactating women
• extreme pain or immobility