Sheryl Lal, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student, recently had an opportunity to present her research at the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy annual conference.
The research aimed at improving exercise interventions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The project, conducted in PNWU’s CAMS lab, compared high-intensity interval circuit training that incorporated both upper and lower extremity exercises to training focused solely on the lower extremities.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting more than 24,000 people in Washington state alone—a number expected to rise. Lal and her group members were motivated by a desire to serve the Yakima community and advance PNWU’s mission to improve care for rural and medically underserved populations.
“This project allowed us to contribute meaningful research to a people living with Parkinson’s disease from evidence-based care,” Lal said. “We hope our work inspires future students to pursue research that directly benefits the Yakima community.”
For Lal, the experience reinforced her commitment to becoming a physical therapist who serves underserved communities through evidence-based practice. It also sparked her interest in pursuing a neuro residency after graduation. “This research deepened my passion for working with neurological populations and strengthened my dedication to PNWU’s mission,” she shared.
The research group was supported by faculty mentors Tiffany Salido, PT, DPT, PhD; Ronald Walser, PT, DPT; and Antonio Vintimilla, PT, DPT, PhD, along with fellow students and graduates who contributed to the project’s success. Lal expressed gratitude to the local Parkinson’s community for their enthusiastic participation and support.
By demonstrating that impactful, clinically relevant research can be conducted locally, Lal hopes this project will pave the way for future initiatives that improve patient care and quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease.