Source: Fox News
Summary
A study published in Neurology found that weekly physical activity may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The research, led by the University of Cincinnati, followed 294 patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s for up to seven years. Participants were divided into groups based on their weekly physical activity levels. The study reported that more activity was linked to slower declines in memory, thinking, and movement abilities. However, the study was observational and could not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Researchers noted that more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
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The advice sounds familiar.
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Author: Evan Null
Weekly Physical Activity and Parkinson’s Disease
A new study suggests that weekly physical activity may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The research, conducted by the University of Cincinnati, involved 294 patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s. Their average age was 66. Participants reported their physical activity levels through questionnaires and structured interviews.
The study categorized physical activity into three groups: up to four hours, four to eight hours, and more than eight hours per week. Researchers monitored participants’ cognitive and motor function over several years. They found that each additional hour of physical activity per week was associated with slightly slower declines in memory, thinking, and movement abilities.
Patients who engaged in four to eight hours of physical activity per week experienced slower declines in memory and thinking compared to those who exercised less than four hours. However, exercising more than eight hours per week did not provide additional benefits for cognitive function.
The study was published in Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, on October 7. Researchers emphasized that the findings are observational and do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They called for further randomized studies to confirm the results.
Experts noted that while the study has limitations, such as self-reported activity and a primarily White participant pool, it adds to the growing body of research on the potential benefits of physical activity for Parkinson’s patients. The study was supported by the Gardner Family Foundation and the Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund.
