Comparison of exercise strategies for motor symptom improvement in Parkinson's disease

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of four exercise interventions on motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Materials and methods: This was a quasi-experimental trial with 89 participants assigned to one of four exercise programs (aquatic, aerobic, strength and sensory attention-focused exercise) or a control group. All groups were assessed by a blinded evaluator with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III) motor section before exercises began (pre-test), immediately following exercise (post-test) and a s-ubgroup was followed for a 6-week nonexercise washout period (washout). Results: Only sensory attention-focused exercise resulted in significant symptomatic improvement r-elative to n-onexercising control participants. The sensory (6.7 points) and strength t-raining (5.5 points) groups also had significant UPDRS III reductions from pre- to post-exercise. These benefits were not maintained after the washout period. Conclusion: Of the exercise m-odalities tested, sensory attention-focused exercise and strength training were the most effective strategies for individuals with PD. Future randomized trials are needed to confirm these results and compare other promising strategies aimed at specific pathophysiological deficits of PD.