Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders

The National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) has a comprehensive Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Programme at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH). The programme emphasises the provision of excellent comprehensive clinical services coupled with strong research initiatives.

The Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Centre is dedicated to the comprehensive care, research, education, and training of Parkinson disease and Movement Disorders. We have a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and research scientists.

Since 2006, our Centre has been designated as a Parkinson's Foundation (PF) Centre of Excellence. This is a designation awarded by the PF to healthcare institutions that excel in Parkinson-related comprehensive care, research and community outreach programmes. We are proud to be one of the two PF Centre of Excellence in Asia.

Our Services

• Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Clinics
  • These clinics have trained Movement Disorders Specialists who provide comprehensive evaluation and care for patients with Parkinson disease, tremor disorders, gait disorders, and other abnormal movements. The emphasis is on patient-centred care with focus on the latest treatment strategies and the reduction of symptoms.
    Our patients clinical condition is carefully monitored in the areas of motor function, activities of daily living, side effects of treatment, quality of life and memory. Nurse Clinicians provide education and support to patients and their caregivers about their disease and treatment.
    When necessary, patients are referred to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, and dieticians who are trained in handling these disorders, to further optimize their care.
  • For appointment and enquiries, please contact the Neuroscience Specialists Outpatient Clinics at (65) 6330 6363 (NNI@TTSH) or (65) 6321 4324 (NNI@SGH).
• Functional Neurosurgery for Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders
• Motor Control Laboratory and Deep Brain Stimulator Programming 
  • Minimally invasive stereotactic surgery and implantation of deep brain stimulators (similar to pace-makers) into various parts of the brain are new modes of therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson diseas. Neurosurgeons specially trained in these techniques provide surgical expertise and use special recording devices during the operation to ensure correct placement of the electrode stimulators (wires). The major part of the procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. After each operation, programming of the stimulators is carried out to turn on the stimulators and determine the best settings that will alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Patients undergoing this procedure are managed by an experienced team of neurosurgeons, neurologists and nurses.
  • For appointment and enquiries, please contact the Neuroscience Specialists Outpatient Clinics at (65) 6330 6363 (NNI@ TTSH) or (65) 6321 4324 (NNI@ SGH).
• Inpatient Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Service
• Community Care Partners Programme (CCPP)
  • In October 2007, the Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Centre (PDMDC) at National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) initiated Singapore’s first-ever organised outreach programme for the Parkinson community. The Community Care Partners Programme (CCPP) for Parkinson disease is a partnership programme with community care facilities that have a core team of healthcare professionals who have completed our training workshops. The primary aim of the CCPP is to enhance the delivery of community care and support to the Parkinson community by tapping on the well-integrated network of community healthcare facilities in Singapore. 
    Since the launch of the Community Care Partners Programme on 20 October 2007, we now have over 15 Care Partners.
  • With our network of community care partners, patients with Parkinson and their families will have access to the best possible care in the community. Please approach your doctor or nurse clinician for more information on how you may be referred to our community care partners for the different types of services provided.
  • For enquiries, please contact ccpp@nni.com.sg
• Parkinson Disease Support Group
  • We have a support group specially organised to provide educational and emotional support for Parkinson disease patients and their caregivers. The support group is managed by the Parkinson Disease Nurse Clinician, medical social workers and other paramedical staff. Support groups raise awareness about the challenges of living with Parkinson disease and help patients replace negative attitudes with a more realistic understanding of the disease. It provides a caring environment for patients and their caregivers to ask questions about Parkinson disease as well as to share experiences with one another.
    
    Click here for details of the support group
     
• Parkinson Disease Growth Group  
  • • The Growth Group provides an avenue for our patients to share their experiences and psychosocial issues in greater depth. In so doing, the Growth group aims to help patients cope better with the diagnosis of Parkinson disease as well as the social, emotional and physical implications of the condition. Each group meets on a weekly basis for 8 sessions. These meetings are facilitated by medical social workers and Parkinson disease nurse clinicians.
    • For enquiries, please contact the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Care and Counselling Department at (65) 6357 8222.
  • Parkinson Disease Exercise Class
    • Exercise helps to maintain or improve flexibility in the joints and muscles, balance, general fitness and ability to move. After an initial assessment by a physiotherapist, suitable patients would participate in regular exercise classes. These classes are conducted in groups of up to 10 patients by physiotherapists. Patients are taught various exercises and strategies to cope with their walking, balance and posture, and encouraged to practise the exercises daily.
    • For enquiries, please contact the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Physiotherapy Department at (65) 6357 8307.
  • Parkinson Disease Voice Class
    • Some patients with Parkinson disease have a soft voice and experience difficulties being understood. The Voice Class is conducted by speech therapists and helps patients learn how to speak louder, with proper articulation and pronunciation of words so that family and friends can better understand them.
    • For enquiries, please contact the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Speech Therapy Department at (65) 6357 4857.