The last 5 -7 years has yielded an abundance of medical research on the effectiveness of regular, vigorous exercise in delaying or alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Norman Doidge, M.D., in his 2015 book The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity, gives an overview:
“Learning and exercise together seem to be a good
combination. As people reach middle age, and the brain begins to degenerate,
exercise is more, not less, important, and one of the few ways to offset this
process. Understanding this is more crucial than ever, because so many people
live sedentary lives, in front of computer screens, sitting most of the day.
Numerous studies show that a sedentary lifestyle is a significant risk factor
not only for heart disease but also for cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative
illness.”
Doidge gives two examples of the steadily growing
evidence of the benefits of exercise on PD:
“In 2011 an exhaustive major review was published in one
of the most important mainstream medical journals, Neurology. Based on work at the Mayo Clinic, it looked at most of
the available evidence for exercise and Parkinson’s, in animals and humans; it
was titled ‘Does Vigorous Exercise Have A Neuro-protective Effect in
Parkinson’s?’ Vigorous exercise included walking, swimming and basically
“physical activity sufficient to increase heart rate and the need for oxygen”
and that was sustained and repeated. On the basis of examining many hundreds of
patients, it concluded, ‘This overall body of evidence suggests that vigorous
exercise should be accorded a central place in our treatment of PD.’”
“A 2014 randomized study of PD patients by the University
of Iowa’s department of neurology found that: ‘walking, three times a week for
45 minutes, for 6 months, led to improvements in the patient’s Parkinsonian
movement symptoms, mood, and decreased fatigue. Though the patients were on
anti-Parkinson’s medication, the authors noted that the improvements could not
be attributed to medication.’”
Exercise: New Prescription for
Parkinson’s Disease
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Exercise
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Does vigorous exercise have a neuro-protective effect in Parkinson disease?
“Among seniors
in general, exercise or physical fitness has not only been associated with
better cognitive scores, but midlife exercise significantly reduces the later
risk of both dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Finally, numerous studies
in seniors with and without dementia have reported increased cerebral gray
matter volumes associated with physical fitness or exercise.”
Effects of chronic exercise on severity,
quality of life and functionality in an elderly Parkinson's disease patient:
case report
“According to
our data, exercise seems to be effective in promoting the functional capacity
and the maintenance of cognitive and motor functions of PD patients. Regular
exercise protocols can be implemented as an adjunctive treatment for reducing
the severity of PD.”
Back to the basics: regular exercise matters
in Parkinson's disease: results from the National Parkinson Foundation QII registry
study
“Regular
exercisers at baseline were associated with better quality of life, mobility,
and physical function, less progression of disease, less caregiver burden and
less cognitive decline one year later, after controlling for demographic and disease
severity variables.”
Comparison of strength training, aerobic
training, and additional physical therapy as supplementary treatments for
Parkinson's disease: pilot study
“Strength
Training and Aerobic Training in patients with PD are associated with improved
outcomes in disease symptoms and functional capacity.”
Effect of exercise on motor and non-motor
symptoms of Parkinson's disease
“This study
demonstrated positive effects of general exercise and Lee Silverman Voice
Therapy on motor and non-motor symptoms of patients with PD. Our results
suggest that general exercise may be as effective as Lee Silverman Voice
Therapy on
symptoms of PD for patients not able to readily access outpatient Lee Silverman
Voice Therapy.”
Effects of physical activity in Parkinson's
disease: A new tool for rehabilitation
“Furthermore,
aerobic training may improve muscle trophism, strength and mobility. It seems
reasonable to state that tailored physical activity is a valid tool to be
included in the therapeutic program of PD patients, considering that this
approach may ameliorate the symptoms as well as the overall physical
incapacity, reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and ultimately improve
quality of life.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25332912
Immediate effects of high-speed cycling
intervals on bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease
“There is
growing evidence that speed-based exercise training benefits people with
Parkinson's disease (PD) …. In addition to what is known about continuous
exercise sessions involving high-speed exercise, the present results suggest
that brief intervals of high-speed low-resistance cycling are promising and should be
examined in a longer duration exercise program.”
Phase I/II randomized trial of aerobic
exercise in Parkinson disease in a community setting
“Our preliminary
study suggests that aerobic walking in a community setting is safe, well
tolerated, and improves aerobic fitness, motor function, fatigue, mood,
executive control, and quality of life in mild to moderate PD.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24991037
Photo: http://agelessgrace.com/parkinsons-disease-neuroplasticity/ CC
Jerry De Luca is a Christian freelance writer who loves perusing dozens of interesting and informative publications. When he finds any useful info he summarizes it, taking the main points, and creates a (hopefully) helpful blog post.
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