Breathing problems in Parkinson’s disease are often overlooked, despite their high prevalence and impact on daily life. This thesis shows that 44% of people with Parkinson’s experience breathlessness (dyspnea) and/or coughing difficulties (dystussia). These symptoms are linked to factors like anxiety, swallowing difficulties, and previous lung diseases. By asking targeted questions, healthcare professionals can better identify and treat these issues, potentially preventing complications like pneumonia. Breathing exercises are shown to be effective: expiratory muscle strength training improves swallowing safety and cough strength, while inspiratory training enhances speech. Medication also plays a role, but must be carefully adjusted as the disease progresses. The findings are being shared through ParkinsonNet to improve care nationwide, ensuring people with Parkinson’s receive timely and appropriate support.
Veerle van de Wetering–van Dongen (1992) is a physical therapist at Radboudumc, specializing in neurological conditions. She studied Physiotherapy (HAN) and Clinical Health Sciences (Utrecht University). Her interest in respiratory dysfunction grew through work with ICU and ALS patients. Since 2019, she has been conducting PhD research on breathing problems in Parkinson’s disease, supervised by Maarten Nijkrake and Hanneke Kalf.