Which of the following is explicitly listed as a PT intervention for Parkinson's disease?

• A. Spinal orthoses
• B. Aquatic therapy
• C. Massage therapy
• D. High amplitude/intensity

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease emphasizes retraining movement with large, deliberate, high-effort actions to overcome bradykinesia and hypokinesia. This amplitude-focused approach is exemplified by programs like LSVT BIG, which prescribe high amplitude and high intensity practice to recalibrate motor output and help daily tasks feel more normal. Spinal orthoses address spinal stability, not PD motor training. Aquatic therapy can be useful as a modality, but it isn’t described as an explicit, standard PT intervention for Parkinson’s in most guidelines. Massage therapy isn’t a core PT intervention for PD. So, the option that aligns with an explicitly listed PD PT intervention is high amplitude/intensity, because it directly targets the characteristic movement reductions seen in Parkinson’s and is a well-documented, formal PT approach.