Effectiveness of Progressive Resistance Training in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to systematically explore progressive resistance training (PRT) effects in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Eligible literature was systematically searched from five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from their inception to February 2022. Included studies were selected based on strict eligibility criteria. RevMan 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis.

A total of 14 studies with 761 PD patients were selected for eligibility in this systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 383 performed trunk or upper or lower extremity PRT and 378 underwent balance training, modified fitness counts, or did not change their lifestyle. The results demonstrated positive PRT effect on freezing of gait (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.55, 95% CI = -0.95 to -0.16, p = 0.006), muscular strength (SMD = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.55-3.24, p = 0.006), and quality of life (SMD = -0.86, 95% CI = -1.66 to -0.06, p = 0.04) in adults with PD compared with other training programmes but not for gait velocity, stride length, timed up and go test, and Berg Balance Scale.

This meta-analysis revealed that PRT had positive effects on freezing of gait, muscle strength, and improved quality of life during rehabilitation in PD patients.