Parkinson's Study Finds Association Between Physical Activity and Slower Symptom Decline

A new study has revealed a surprising double benefit of exercise for people living with Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that individuals who are more physically active may experience slower declines in both movement and cognitive functions over time.

The study, which followed 294 adults with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease for up to seven years, identified an association between physical activity and slower symptom progression. This suggests that maintaining a regular exercise routine could offer two important advantages for those living with the condition.

Parkinson's disease is a complex brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems to worsen over time, ultimately leading to disability and loss of independence, according to Dr. Dong-Woo Ryu, study author from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

The researchers emphasize that their findings do not imply that exercise directly slows down the progression of Parkinson's disease, but rather highlight a connection between physical activity and slower symptom decline.

To measure the physical activity levels of participants, researchers used questionnaires that asked them to estimate how many hours they spent engaging in various activities each week. These activities included work-related tasks, household chores, and hobbies or recreational pursuits.

The team categorized activities based on their intensity level. Moderate activities, such as brisk walking, doubles tennis, or leisurely swimming, were distinguished from more demanding tasks like running, cycling at higher speeds, or participating in team sports.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of physical activity, researchers employed three different approaches. They first calculated the total time spent engaging in moderate or vigorous activities. Next, they estimated overall activity volume by combining duration with intensity, giving greater weight to strenuous exercise. Additionally, they separately measured the amount of time spent doing vigorous activities.

Participants were grouped into three categories based on their total weekly physical activity levels. Those in the least active group reported spending up to four hours per week engaging in moderate or vigorous activities, while those in the moderately active group reported between four and eight hours. The most active participants, meanwhile, reported more than eight hours of physical activity each week.

The study revealed a significant correlation between physical activity levels and cognitive function in people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers used a 30-point test to assess thinking and memory skills, with lower scores indicating poorer performance. The least active participants experienced the largest decline in scores, with an estimated average drop of 0.478 points per year.

In contrast, those who were moderately active saw a much smaller annual decrease of 0.090 points. This suggests that regular physical activity may help slow down cognitive decline in people with Parkinson's. However, it is essential to note that the study did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between exercise and cognitive function.

The researchers also examined changes in Parkinson's movement symptoms using a standardized assessment tool. The least active participants showed an increase in symptom scores, indicating a slight worsening of their condition. By contrast, those who were moderately active experienced a decrease in symptom scores, with the most active participants showing the largest improvement.

Even after adjusting for factors such as age and disease duration, the study found that physical activity levels remained a significant predictor of cognitive decline and movement symptoms. The results suggest that regular exercise may be a valuable addition to existing treatments for Parkinson's, helping to slow down both cognitive and motor decline.

Higher physical activity levels have been linked to slower decline in both cognitive and motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This association was observed regardless of the specific measure of exercise used, including total activity time, overall activity volume, and time spent engaging in vigorous exercise.

The researchers suggest that maintaining a consistent level of physical activity over time may be particularly beneficial for individuals with Parkinson's. Even small differences in the rate of decline could become significant when accumulated over several years, highlighting the importance of long-term physical activity.

According to one researcher, the potential benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson's disease may depend on how long they remain active and whether they continue exercising consistently. This implies that while small differences in activity levels may not seem significant at first, they could have more meaningful effects over time.

The study also noted a limitation in its methodology, as physical activity levels were based on participants' self-reported data rather than direct measurements. As a result, some estimates of activity levels may have been inaccurate or subject to bias.

The study's findings highlight the significance of physical activity in managing Parkinson's disease, but more research is needed to understand its impact on symptom progression.

This research was made possible by funding from the Gardner Family Foundation and the Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund, which provided crucial support for the project.

Further studies will be necessary to confirm whether exercise alone can slow down the worsening of symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.