Weekly physical activity may help slow cognitive decline and motor function loss in patients with Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study from the University of Cincinnati.
A recent study conducted by the University of Cincinnati has found that engaging in weekly physical activity could significantly slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease in patients. The research involved 294 participants, all of whom were diagnosed with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, with an average age of 66.
Participants reported their weekly physical activity through questionnaires, which assessed both moderate and vigorous activities performed at work, home, and during recreational time. Moderate activities included brisk walking, light swimming, doubles tennis, and household chores such as vacuuming or mowing the lawn. Vigorous activities encompassed jogging, fast bicycling, team sports, singles tennis, and heavy lifting.
Based on their reported levels of physical activity, participants were categorized into three groups: those who engaged in up to four hours, four to eight hours, and more than eight hours of exercise each week. The researchers monitored the cognitive health of the participants for up to five years and their motor function for up to seven years.
The findings revealed that each additional hour of physical activity per week was associated with a slower decline in memory, thinking, and movement abilities over time. This correlation remained significant even after adjusting for various factors such as age, sex, education, weight, and disease severity. Notably, patients who exercised between four to eight hours per week exhibited slower declines in cognitive abilities compared to those who were less active.
However, exercising for more than eight hours per week did not yield additional cognitive benefits. The study was published on October 7 in the journal Neurology, the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
According to Dr. Dong-Woo Ryu, the study’s lead author from the University of Cincinnati and The Catholic University of Korea, “Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems that gradually worsen, leading to disability and a loss of independence.” He emphasized that while previous research has linked physical activity to improvements in movement symptoms, this study suggests that exercise may also help slow cognitive decline.
Dr. Ryu noted that the benefits of physical activity for Parkinson’s patients may hinge on the duration of their engagement in exercise and their ability to maintain an active lifestyle over time. “While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time,” he added.
Experts have pointed out that the study’s participants generally had relatively strong cognitive abilities at the outset, which may limit the findings’ applicability to a broader population. Dr. Vibhash Sharma, a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, commented on the significance of the study. “Exercise has well-established benefits for physical fitness and mobility, along with potential benefits for brain health through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood,” he said. “These findings further emphasize the importance of regular physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease.”
Dr. Sharma, who was not involved in the research, also highlighted the study’s strength in following patients over several years while assessing both motor and cognitive functions.
Despite its contributions, the study does have limitations. As an observational study, it could not definitively establish a causal relationship between exercise and slowed progression of Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, participants self-reported their physical activity levels, which raises concerns about the accuracy of their recollections. The study’s sample was also primarily White and conducted at a single location, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Dr. Sharma pointed out that it is also possible that patients with a naturally slower progression of the disease are more likely to remain physically active. He emphasized the need for randomized studies to confirm whether exercise directly influences cognitive or motor decline in Parkinson’s patients.
The research was supported by a grant from the Gardner Family Foundation and the Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund, underscoring the importance of continued investigation into the role of physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease.
According to Fox News Digital, the findings from this study could have significant implications for treatment strategies aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.