How grand final week can change the picture of Parkinson's disease

Published on: 25 September 2024

Source: The Examiner

The AFL grand final is upon us - and one researcher says it can be used to help change the perceptions around Parkinson's disease.

Discussing her research at the Launceston General Hospital on Tuesday, Michele Callisaya from the Menzies Insitute for Medical Research says she wants to change the picture of Parkinson's.


Dr Matt Lee-Archer, Associate Professor Michele Callisaya and Harley Stanton of Tasmania Parkinsons Project at the Launceston General Hospital, presenting to medical staff. Pictures supplied

"We often think of Parkinson's as a shuffling older man, but one of the problems with that is it decreases expectations about what people with Parkinson's can do, and the benefit of exercise," Dr Callisaya said.

"If we think more about what a footballer is like, they have to train up to do very specific exercises that benefit them to win the grand final.

"We need to think of Parkinson's in a similar way, in that it slows down people's movement and affects their balance."

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