Abstract
Physical activity (PA) is a factor that may have an influence on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this study was to identify the potential determinants of spontaneous PA in a PD patient group. A total of 134 PD patients aged 65.2 ± 9.2 years with a Hoehn–Yahr scale score ≤4 and a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 were examined. For the study’s purposes, the authors analyzed age, sex, education, history of PD, dopaminergic treatment, the severity of PD symptoms using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Hoehn–Yahr scale. Additionally, all participants were evaluated through a set of scales for specific neuropsychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, apathy, fatigue, and sleep disorders. A linear regression analysis was used with backward elimination. In the total explanatory model, for 12% of the variability in activity (R2 = 0.125; F(16.133) = 2.185; p < 0.01), the significant predictor was starting therapy with the dopamine agonist (DA) (β= 0.420; t= 4.068; p = 0.000), which was associated with a longer duration of moderate PA. In the total explanatory model, for more than 13% of the variance in time spent sitting (R2 = 0.135; F(16.130) = 2.267; p < 0.01), the significant predictors were secondary education and the results of the UPDRS. The patients with secondary and vocational education, those starting treatment with DA and those with a less severe degree of Parkinson’s symptoms (UPDRS), spent less time sitting in a day. It is possible to identify determinants of spontaneous PA. It may elucidate consequences in terms of influence on modifiable conditions of PA and the proper approach to patients with unmodifiable PA factors.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and the most common form of parkinsonian syndrome
The main symptoms of PD primarily result from a dopaminergic deficit and include bradykinesia, tremors, rigidity, and postural instability, but in the course of PD, there are numerous non-motor symptoms including neuropsychiatric, autonomic and gastrointestinal aspects [2]
The patient group (PI-G) had greater difficulties performing the activities of daily living (ADLs) assessed by Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II (9.2 ± 5.5 vs. 7.0 ± 5.7; p < 0.05), and the PI-G more often suffered from apathy (15.9 ± 5.6 vs. 13.2 ± 5.4; 63.5% (n = 33) vs. 49.1% (n = 27); p < 0.05)
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and the most common form of parkinsonian syndrome.
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