{"id":4261,"date":"2017-02-05T10:55:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-05T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=4261"},"modified":"2017-02-08T10:56:11","modified_gmt":"2017-02-08T16:56:11","slug":"groundbreaking-pt-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/groundbreaking-pt-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Groundbreaking PT Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading time: 3 minutes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Stroke and Parkinson\u2019s disease can rob people of mobility, speech and even the enjoyment of food. But Pradip Ghosh, PhD, professor of physical therapy<\/a> at 91ÖÆƬ³§, helps these individuals improve the quality of their lives through groundbreaking research.<\/p>\n

Ghosh recently completed phase one of a research project in which individuals with Parkinson\u2019s disease participated in yoga postures, pranayama (breathing) and meditation. Once a week for 12 weeks, Ghosh guided 16 participants through the techniques, in connection with a local support group he organized last year. They repeated the exercises every day at home.<\/p>\n

Four Maryville students assessed the results, measuring a number of relevant factors, including sleep patterns, stress levels, fatigue levels, balance and overall quality of life, Ghosh said.\"Pradip_Ghosh_5590-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Evaluators found marked improvement in all areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe patient response was marvelous,\u201d Ghosh said. \u201cWe found that we can use meditation and yoga as an adjunct to traditional forms of physical therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Positive Results for People with Parkinson\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lenora Copenhaver was among the participants. Her Parkinson\u2019s disease affected her ability to chew and swallow, and she was no longer able to eat solid food.<\/p>\n

Ghosh emphasized a breathing technique in which participants make sounds while exhaling, a process that uses numerous muscles involved in eating. During the course of the research, Copenhaver experienced significant improvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I can have fish and chicken, not just soup,\u201d Copenhaver said. \u201cI can enjoy going out to eat again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Copenhaver appreciates another benefit of the sessions: better sleep. She used to wake up several times every night. Then she began practicing yoga breathing before bedtime.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, before I know it, I\u2019m asleep,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I sleep like a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jagan Ailinani, MD, a radiology doctor who lives in Carbondale, Ill., is also among the Parkinson\u2019s disease patients in the research study. He, too, is enjoying better sleep, along with other benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel more calm and my balance has improved,\u201d Ailinani said. \u201cLife is better.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Individuals with Stroke Gain Independence <\/strong><\/p>\n

In another area of research, Ghosh is helping individuals with stroke to regain their mobility and independence.<\/p>\n

To walk properly, each knee and ankle must work in a certain sequence, Ghosh said. People who have experienced stroke find it difficult to initiate and maintain these steps in order.<\/p>\n

\"Pradip_Ghosh_5531\"<\/a>Normally, a physical therapist must manipulate a patient\u2019s knees and ankles to help him or her learn to walk gain. But Ghosh has developed a sling for patients to wear, allowing the therapist to assist and guide their leg movements with less effort from a short distance away, by pulling a set of strings.<\/p>\n

One individual with normal arm movement learned to operate the strings himself. Everyone in the cohort of eight demonstrated measurable success. Ghosh presented this research before the 4th<\/sup> European Region of World Confederation of Physical Therapy in Liverpool last November.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatients tell me they feel they are walking better and they feel more safe while walking,\u201d Ghosh said.<\/p>\n

Ghosh\u2019s work brings him personal satisfaction, especially when individuals with stroke or Parkinson\u2019s disease, or their family members, tell him how much different they feel after using new intervention techniques.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people say their life has changed, I feel good,\u201d Ghosh said. \u201cIt\u2019s very rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

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