Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease: Theories and Implications for Rehabilitation

Abstract

Cognitive changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) can occur at any stage of the disease and have been shown to significantly impact well-being and life participation. The nature and pattern of cognitive decline in PD remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of symptoms and lack of a clear explanatory model. This review aims to draw attention to several theoretical models of cognitive decline in PD to deepen our understanding of the complex milieu of symptoms and begin to offer clinical implications for rehabilitation fields.