Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Faculty Mentor
Mackenzie Feldhacker, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
Keywords
Occupational therapy, Parkinson’s disease, non-motor symptoms, and educational resources
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) face many challenges to their daily life including various motor and non-motor symptoms that affects their participation in meaningful occupations. Non-motor symptoms like decreased social participation, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and decline in cognition often go unnoticed and undertreated. Limited resources are available to clinicians and individuals with PD regarding tangible ways to address these concerns. Occupational therapy (OT) has a unique role in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms through evidence-based resources, education, and general awareness. This project bridged this gap in care regarding non-motor symptoms of PD through the creation of easily accessible handouts, resources, and materials for clinicians, individuals with PD, and their caregivers. The findings of this project demonstrate that OT practitioners can and should address non-motor symptoms with their PD patients in order to best support overall participation in meaningful occupations and quality of life.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Alison C., "Addressing the Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease Through Integration of Clinical Skills and Community Educational Resources" (2026). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 175.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/175