Expert Briefing: Use it or Lose it - The Impact of Physical Activity in Parkinson’s

Wellness Wednesday
For people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), physical activity is more than an important part of healthy living — it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. This program will discuss the importance of regular and daily movement and how extended breaks of physical activity may worsen PD symptoms.
Speaker
Miriam Rafferty PT, DPT, PhD, Research Scientist II, Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
Dr. Miriam Rafferty is a Research Scientist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Psychiatry & Behavioral Science. She is also an active physical therapist clinician specializing in neurologic physical therapy, particularly for people with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Rafferty’s research focuses on health services delivery models for people with Parkinson’s disease, particularly proactive delivery models. She also uses implementation science methodology to study the implementation of evidence-based practices and novel technologies into real-world rehabilitation settings.

Contact Us
Parkinson's Foundation Helpline
Upcoming Events
Social Engagement - Everyday Safety at Home
This session offers practical tips to help you move with confidence and ease at home, especially if you live alone or manage most of your care.
2025 Peachtree Road Race
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Mindfulness Mondays - Awareness of Emotions
In this session, we will look at how to use mindfulness to tend our emotions and find the wisdom that lives in every feeling.