Effect of Exercise and Rehabilitation Therapy on Risk of Hospitalization in Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract

Exercise and physical therapy (PT) can improve motor function and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), but their role in hospitalization avoidance is not well-studied. To determine the longitudinal and temporal association of exercise and PT use with hospital encounter. Longitudinal regression and χ2 analyses were performed on Parkinson's Foundation Parkinson's Outcome Project exercise and PT use data from 4674 and 9259 persons with PD, respectively. Greater exercise duration and intensity were associated with reduced odds of hospital encounter, whereas both PT and occupational therapy use were associated with increased odds. In the 2 years before a hospital encounter, there was an increased frequency of PT use, but not reductions in exercise. Consistent exercise may reduce hospitalization risk whereas PT referral may identify at-risk individuals without preventing this outcome. Further work to incentivize consistent exercise in PD may reduce healthcare use.