Motivational modulation enhances movement performance in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review

Abstract

Background The assessment of motivation and its modulation during treatment are essential aspects of physical therapy practice. However, the modulation of motivation has been sparsely investigated in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and at present no studies have synthesized its effects on movement performance. Objectives The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the efficacy of motivational modulation on movement performance in PD and to provide recommendations for its role in physical therapy practice. Methods Systematic identification of published literature was performed adhering to PRISMA guidelines, from January 2005 to March 2023. Keywords were used in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Academic Search Complete, the Cochrane Database, Google Scholar, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). A level of evidence rating was completed according to the scale provided by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Development Medicine. Quality assessments were performed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist. Results Eight studies were included in this review, all achieving level III evidence. The methodological quality of studies was varied, with most studies attaining a fair rating. Persons with PD performed upper extremity movement tasks with greater intensity when incentivized with larger rewards compared to smaller incentives. Dopamine replacement medication, Deep Brain Stimulation, and a history of depression, had mediating effects on the response to motivational modulation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that it is plausible to improve adherence to exercise when physical therapists modulate motivation through computerized game achievements, gamification of tasks, or other forms of reward and non-rewarding stimuli.