Upper Limb Exercises Reduce Non-motor Symptoms and Increase Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Valton Costa, Maryela Menacho, Thalita Frigo da Rocha et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial compared resistance training, aerobic exercise, and task-specific upper-limb training with usual care for non-motor symptoms in 37 community-dwelling people with Parkinson’s disease. Participants exercised three times weekly for 8 weeks. Between-group analyses found that the upper-limb exercise groups similarly reduced overall non-motor symptom severity and cognitive dysfunction, while fatigue remained at baseline; the usual-care group deteriorated. Resistance and task-specific training also reduced anxiety, and resistance training reduced apathy.
Key findings
- All three upper-limb exercise modalities reduced overall non-motor symptom severity and cognitive dysfunction relative to usual care.
- Fatigue remained at baseline in the exercise groups, whereas it deteriorated in the usual-care group.
- Resistance and task-specific training reduced anxiety; resistance training also reduced apathy.
Why it matters
Non-motor symptoms and cognitive difficulties are important aspects of Parkinson’s disease, and this trial suggests that upper-limb exercise may address some of them alongside physical rehabilitation. The findings also indicate that benefits may vary by exercise modality, although the study does not establish which approach is best for an individual or whether effects persist beyond the intervention.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 37 participants and assessed outcomes over an 8-week intervention; longer-term effects are not reported in the abstract.