Breathing problems in Parkinson's disease are often overlooked, even though they are common and have a major impact on daily life. This thesis shows that 44% of people with Parkinson's suffer from shortness of breath (dyspnea) and/or coughing (dystussia). These symptoms are associated with factors such as anxiety, swallowing problems, and previous lung conditions. By asking more specifically about these symptoms, healthcare providers can better recognize and treat them. In addition, respiratory training proves to be effective: expiratory muscle training improves swallowing safety and cough strength, while inspiratory muscle training improves speech. Medication also plays a role but must be carefully adjusted to the disease progression. The results will be disseminated among healthcare professionals via ParkinsonNet, so that people with Parkinson's receive appropriate help more quickly and complications such as pneumonia can be prevented.
Veerle van de Wetering–van Dongen (1992) is a physiotherapist at the Radboudumc, specializing in neurological disorders. She studied Physiotherapy (HAN) and Clinical Health Sciences (UU). Her interest in breathing arose during her work in the intensive care unit and with ALS patients. Since 2019, she has been conducting doctoral research into breathing problems in Parkinson's, supervised by Maarten Nijkrake and Hanneke Kalf.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, at 12:30h, Veerle van de Wetering-van Dongen will defend her Phd thesis entiteld 'Respiratory issues screened and explored in Parkinson's disease'.
Promotors are Prof. B.R. Bloem, Prof. P.J. van der Wees and co-promotors are Dr. M.J. Nijkrake, Dr. J.G. Kalf