Exercise May Slow Parkinson's Progression, Study Suggests

An hour of daily exercise may help slow the progression of Parkinson's symptoms by up to five years, according to a new study. Activities such as playing tennis, jogging, and gardening were found to delay the worsening of the neurodegenerative disease.

Parkinson's disease affects over 160,000 people in the UK, where nerve cells in the brain cease producing dopamine, leading to tremors, stiffness, and eventually loss of movement, speech, and swallowing abilities, along with potential cognitive decline.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, followed 294 Parkinson's patients, with an average age of 66, for up to seven years. They monitored changes in both movement and cognitive function.

Activity Levels and Decline

Researchers discovered that individuals who engaged in eight or more hours of physical activity per week experienced the slowest decline in their condition. The activities varied widely, encompassing vigorous exercises like jogging and tennis, as well as more moderate pursuits such as vacuuming and gardening.

The findings indicated that the total volume of weekly activity was more significant than its intensity. Experts believe that exercise may protect the brain by improving blood flow, strengthening neural connections, and reducing inflammation, all of which could help preserve both physical and mental capabilities.

Dr. Dong-Woo Ryu, the study's lead author, stated that previous research had shown links between physical activity and motor symptoms. "Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition," he said.

Cognitive function was assessed using a standard 30-point test. Patients who were least active, engaging in up to four hours of exercise per week, saw their scores decrease by approximately 0.48 points annually. In contrast, those exercising four to eight hours weekly experienced declines of only 0.009 points per year. Individuals engaging in more than eight hours of exercise per week showed virtually no decline in cognitive scores.

While these differences may seem small, Dr. Ryu noted they could significantly impact daily life, potentially allowing patients to maintain independence for longer.

Motor Symptoms and Exercise

A similar pattern was observed concerning motor symptoms. Researchers tracked changes in walking, posture, stiffness, and overall mobility using a standard Parkinson's assessment. The most physically active participants demonstrated the slowest worsening of these symptoms.

"The possible benefits of physical activity for people with Parkinson's disease may depend on how long they stay active and whether they continue exercising over time," Dr. Ryu added.

Dr. Daniel Truong, a neurologist at the University of California not involved in the study, commented that exercise remains a crucial strategy for managing Parkinson's, offering both symptom relief and potential disease-modifying effects, particularly when initiated early and performed consistently.

He recommended that patients begin with small amounts of movement, noting that even ten minutes can be beneficial and that improvements in balance, energy, and mood may be noticeable within weeks.

However, the study authors emphasized that, as an observational study, it cannot definitively prove cause and effect. It is possible that patients with milder disease and better cognitive function were more capable of staying active than those with more advanced symptoms.

Further research is planned to confirm whether exercise can genuinely slow disease progression. These findings add to a substantial body of evidence supporting the benefits of exercise for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Previous research has also suggested that dancing may help delay cognitive decline, and a new daily pill, solengepras, has shown promising results in late-stage trials, offering hope for a new class of treatment.