Effects of Health Qigong Exercise on Lower Limb Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Xiying Li,Xiaolei Liu,Chuanfen Lv,Xia Qin

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.809134

Abstract

PurposeThis study explored the effects of Health Qigong exercise on lower limb motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Patients and MethodsA total of 40 patients with PD were recruited and randomly allocated into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group completed an intervention of Health Qigong exercise over 12 weeks, while the control group did not perform any regular physical activity. Data relating to gait, lower-limb joint range of motion, Timed Up and Go, as well as scores for motor function scale from the Unified Parkinson's Comprehensive Rating Scale III (UPCRS III) before and after the intervention were collected for Repeated Measure ANOVA.ResultsCompared to the control group, Health Qigong exercise improved the constant- and high-speed stride length and gait velocity of patients, but not constant- and high-speed stride frequency. Left and right hip flexion and extension range were improved as well as left and right knee flexion range. Finally, Timed Up and Go time became significantly slower and UPCRS III score significantly decreased.ConclusionHealth Qigong exercise can improve walking ability and lower limb joint range of motion in patients with PD, lessen motor difficulties, and improve the quality of life. This non-pharmacological exercise intervention may be a useful adjustment treatment for PD.

Highlights

There are more than 10 million patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) worldwide, of whom nearly 30% are in China where it represents an annual increase of 100,000 [1]
This study aims to explore the effects of Health Qigong exercise on lower limb motor function in patients with PD
Patients with PD suffer from disordered gait and a smaller range of motion in the lower limb joints and their walking ability becomes weak with an unstable center of gravity

Summary

Introduction

There are more than 10 million patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) worldwide, of whom nearly 30% are in China where it represents an annual increase of 100,000 [1] As it develops, PD creates difficulties with walking, destroys the motor function of the lower limbs, impairs the stability and balance of the lower limbs, and further increases the risk of falls. This study is to apply Health Qigong to Qigong Exercise for PD explore its effect on lower limb motor function in patients with PD. Demanding the combination of the center of gravity (CG) with body position and the stability of lower limbs, Health Qigong develops body coordination and bodily mechanisms. The unique advantages of Health Qigong have attracted the attention of researchers, with studies confirming that it is valuable for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases

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