Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder caused by a decrease or loss of dopamine in the brain, with symptoms such as trembling of limbs, jaw and face as well as stiffness, slow movement, bodily instability and poor coordination. These symptoms can cause difficulty with talking, walking and performing everyday tasks. Passive range of motion exercises are performed by a caregiver on a patient who is unable to exercise on his own. Research by Dr. Beth Fisher at the University of South Carolina shows that exercise can slow or ease the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Head and Neck
Chin-to-chest, head turns and head tilts are common passive range of motion exercises for Parkinson's patients. Allow the patient to stay in bed but remove the pillow so that her head is flat against the bed. Place one hand under her head and one under her chin for support. For a chin-to-chest exercise, gently lift the patient's head and tip her chin towards her chest. For a head turn, place your hands on both sides of the patient's face. Slowly turn the patient's head to one side, until her nose lines up above her shoulder, and repeat for the other side. For a head tilt, tilt the patient's head to each side by gently easing the each ear to the corresponding shoulder.
Shoulders and Elbows
Begin with one arm at a time, then switch sides. Place the patient's arm so that his palm is towards his body. Keep one hand on under his elbow (keeping it as straight as possible) and hold his wrist for support. Bring the arm forward and up toward the patient's head so that the inner arm touches his ear. Next, swing the arm across the body towards the opposite shoulder. Swing it back to his side. Keep the patient's arm at his side. Bend the elbow so thumb and fingers are pointing up. Rotate the arm so the fingers are now pointing down. Rotate the arm so the palm is facing up. Bend the elbow so that the fingers touch the corresponding shoulder, if possible.
Legs
Gently hold the left leg up a few inches off the bed. Move the leg out to the right as far as possible, then move it inwards and cross it over the left leg. Repeat for the other side. Next, place the leg flat on the bed. Rotate the leg inwards so the big tow touches the bed. Rotate it outwards so that the pinky toe touches the bed. Repeat for the other leg.
Source: Livestrong