Clinical Neuroservices Center
1012 E. Willetta
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Scheduling: (602) 839-6533
Movement disorders are among the leading causes of neurological disability in the United States. One in every 100 American seniors suffers from Parkinson's disease, which causes tremor, rigid muscles and difficulty initiating movement. Additionally, many people are afflicted with Essential Tremor – an inherited condition causing tremors that can affect routine activities such as eating or shaving – or other movement disorders.
Physicians and staff at the Banner Good Samaritan Clinical Neuroservices Center are working to help patients and their families lead productive and normal lives with therapy and medications.
Other conditions causing difficulty with movement include:
- Dystonia – muscle contractions that cause twisting or repetitive movements
- Dyskinesia – abnormal involuntary movements
- Spasticity – contractions of muscles causing stiff and awkward movements
- Chorea – involuntary muscular twitching of the limbs or facial muscles
The Movement Disorders Center Can Help
 Patients suffering with a loss of mobility or uncontrollable movement due to accident, aging or neurological disease are referred to the Banner Good Samaritan Clinical Neuroservices Center. |
Team members include neurologists and physical, occupational, speech and nursing therapists. Additional specialists may include neurosurgeons and neuro-psychologists as appropriate. Patients visiting the Movement Disorders Center see each member of the team during the four-hour visit. In this intensive setting, clinicians perform a comprehensive assessment of each patient and make concrete, practical suggestions to help patients improve their quality of life.
At the Clinical Neuroservices Center, patients with Parkinson's disease are evaluated using nationally approved rating scales. Physical therapists observe each patient's walking and movement ability and posture. An analysis to predict a patient's risk for falling is performed, and patients at high risk are referred for additional therapy or instructed in the use of assistive devices when appropriate.
Occupational therapists examine each patient's ability to conduct activities of daily living and provide suggestions to help regain independence with self care skills, through recommended equipment or modified techniques. Speech therapists screen each patient for difficulty with swallowing or voice control, and make suggestions to minimize aspiration risk and improve communication through specialized techniques such as the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Program.
The staff of the Clinical Neuroservices Center works with community neurologists and internists by providing assessment information and developing individual therapy plans for their patients. After each visit the referring physician will receive a comprehensive report and the patient will receive educational materials and individualized suggestions for therapy.
 The Movement Disorders Clinic's team of clinicians reviews the results of a patient's assessment and can assist them by developing a personal therapy plan. |
Some patients with Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor may be considered for surgical treatment with deep brain stimulation – a procedure that uses tiny electrodes to adjust the electrical current to the brain in order to reduce or stop tremors, and ease stiffness.
Research Provides Key to the Future
The Center also sponsors and participates in national research trials to offer our patients the latest options in the treatment of movement disorders.
"Research in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders continues to provide patients and physicians alike with ever increasing hope for the future," says neurologist Johan Samanta, MD, who also sees patients at the Clinical Neuroservices Center. "As our understanding of these conditions grows, we are able to steadily improve on current treatments and make progress towards the ultimate goal of finding a cure."
Dr. Mahant adds, "We provide patients with a multi-disciplinary team approach to improve their quality of life. Every patient is unique and every patient needs a different program of treatment."
The Clinical Neuroservices Center is located at the Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute, on the campus of Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. Appointments are available Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For information, or to arrange a visit, please call (602) 839-6533.
