Exercise IS medicine in Parkinson’s disease
It’s never too early or late to get involved in exercise to help manage Parkinson’s disease.
Being given a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can be confronting and will often include a discussion with the neurologist about medication to help manage symptoms. As neuro physios, we also know that the other important part of managing Parkinson’s symptoms is exercise! Where this was overlooked in the past, it is now being recognised as an important component of not only managing symptoms but also helping to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Targeted exercise in the early to mid stages of Parkinson’s has been shown to improve the effectiveness of medication. It can improve the motor (movement) symptoms experienced but can also have a positive impact on quality of life, mental health and fatigue. This is because specific exercise can actually cause the release of chemicals in our brain that can help learning and are protective and restorative, thus slowing the decline that occurs over time.
Rose is an active participant in our OptimisePD groups, which currently run in our amazing rehab clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. These are specific Parkinson’s exercise groups that include a range of exercises based on research to:
Promote these positive brain changes
Teach strategies for overcoming symptoms
Build muscle strength and endurance
Improve and maintain balance
Socialise!
In the past Rose had been a very active person but due to her Parkinson’s and other health issues she had become very limited in her walking and activity. Since starting therapy at NPG Rose has been described by her neurologist as ‘the poster girl for exercise’, she is moving better, walking further and enjoying time with her grandchildren. Her favourite exercise in the groups is boxing, and she is a great support for other group members too!
If you want to join one of our OptimisePD exercise groups, contact us to arrange a 1:1 assessment on 03 4207 0279.
References:
Alberts JL, Phillips M, Lowe MJ, Frankemolle A, Thota A, Beall EB, Feldman M, Ahmed A, Ridgel AL. Cortical and motor responses to acute forced exercise in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2016 Mar;24:56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.01.015. Epub 2016 Jan 22. PMID: 26857399; PMCID: PMC4775282.
Frazzitta G, Maestri R, Bertotti G, Riboldazzi G, Boveri N, Perini M, Uccellini D, Turla M, Comi C, Pezzoli G, Ghilardi MF. Intensive rehabilitation treatment in early Parkinson's disease: a randomized pilot study with a 2-year follow-up. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015 Feb;29(2):123-31. doi: 10.1177/1545968314542981. Epub 2014 Jul 18. PMID: 25038064.