Abstract
Physical activity, together with its ameliorative effects on Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms, remains a relatively unappreciated factor which may be beneficial for the treatment outcome. Contemporary evidence supports the positive effects of non-pharmacological approaches to PD symptom management, in particular the effects of the exercise on both, motor and non-motor symptoms. The aim of the study was to review the mechanisms of exercise-induced amelioration of PD symptoms. Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched using the following key words: “Parkinson and physical activity” OR “Parkinson disease and exercise” OR “Parkinson disease and lifestyle factors” OR “Parkinson disease and longevity”. A total of 97 studies which investigated PD genetics and various forms of exercise and their etiologic impact on PD were reviewed. The studies were subdivided into four topic groups: 1) genetics of PD, 2) exercise and the brain, 3) physical activity and PD, 4) mind-body interventions, and discussed accordingly. Adequate levels of physical activity are associated with higher quality of life in PD patients. Physical activity may have protective and stimulatory effects for better functional efficiency in higher-level cognitive networks. It can also improve balance and motor functions by improving muscle strength. Given the etiologic evidence of the beneficial effects of physical activity on PD, albeit tentative, a concerted effort to elucidate the processes and outcomes of physical activity on ameliorating symptoms of PD must be undertaken.
Highlights
The year 2017 marked the 200-year anniversary of the initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) described by James Parkinson [1]
The visible symptoms are connected with motor control and mobility in general, most patients are affected by non-motor symptoms (NMS), including bladder dysfunction [10], pain [11], insomnia [12], cognitive impairment and dementia [13], depression and anxiety [14], osteoporosis [15], constipation [16], apathy [17], and general fatigue [18], with the general effect of fatigue on human performance in older adults remaining the topic of debate [19]
Out of the 2410 articles identified in the databases, 1876 studies remained after removal of the duplicates
Summary
The year 2017 marked the 200-year anniversary of the initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) described by James Parkinson [1]. The visible symptoms are connected with motor control and mobility in general, most patients are affected by NMS, including bladder dysfunction [10], pain [11], insomnia [12], cognitive impairment and dementia [13], depression and anxiety [14], osteoporosis [15], constipation [16], apathy [17], and general fatigue [18], with the general effect of fatigue on human performance in older adults remaining the topic of debate [19]. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease lead a sedentary lifestyle due to their combined physical limitations and mental changes [22]. In 2010 a multifaceted and individually tailored training programme to improve PA in sedentary patients with PD was developed (ParkFit) [23]. A number of questions concerning PA and its ameliorative effects on PD symptoms (such as volume, intensity, type of PA, including the optimal intensity and volume per week, the timing of the exercise intervention relative to disease onset, and likewise type of exercise necessary for maximal neuroprotection and neurorestoration) have not yet been precisely defined and researchers lack consensus on the matter [26]
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