Upper Limb Exercises Reduce Non-motor Symptoms and Increase Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease: Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Exercise Science
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Physical exercise shows promise for managing non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD).
• Optimal exercise modalities for PD-related NMS require further investigation.
• Upper limb (UL) exercise is explored as a potential intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of three distinct UL exercise modalities: resistance training (RES), aerobic exercise (AER), and task-specific training (TST).
• To evaluate the impact of these UL exercises on NMS in individuals with PD.
• To assess effects on cognition, depression, anxiety, and other NMS.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven community-dwelling individuals with PD were randomized into RES, AER, TST, or usual care control groups.
• Interventions consisted of 8 weeks of exercise, three times per week for 40-50 minutes per session.
• Outcomes included the MDS-UPDRS Part I, cognitive tests (MMSE, ACE-R, TMT), GDS, and BAI.

Main Results:

• All UL exercise groups demonstrated reductions in overall NMS severity and cognitive dysfunction compared to the control group.
• Resistance training (RES) and task-specific training (TST) significantly reduced anxiety levels.
• RES also showed a reduction in apathy, with within-group improvements in cognitive domains, depression, hallucinations, and sleep noted in RES and TST groups.

Conclusions:

• Isolated upper limb exercise modalities can produce clinically significant improvements in non-motor symptoms for Parkinson's disease patients.
• RES, AER, and TST are valuable components for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies in PD care.
• These findings highlight the potential of targeted UL exercises to enhance quality of life in PD.