Parkinson's disease, a degenerative central nervous system disorder, results in symptoms such as rigidity of movement, tremors and cognitive disturbances. Parkinson's is incurable and no treatment can fully stop the eventual progress of the condition, but exercise therapy can help patients maintain confidence in their strength, flexibility and balance. Some exercises are known to be particularly beneficial for Parkinson's patients, though you should consult your doctor before you begin a program if you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's.
Rhythmic, Learning-Based Aerobic Exercises
Although all aerobic exercises help improve lung and heart function, not all aerobic exercises are equally beneficial for people with Parkinson's. Exercise methods that encourage learning and active mental participation as well as call for alternating tempos, activities and directions can be particularly beneficial for Parkinson's patients, according to the UCSF Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center. Exercises such as yoga, tai chi, dance and dance aerobics classes consistently challenge Parkinson's patients to work on balance skills, maintain a healthy posture, keep up with a tempo, switch from one activity to another and perform two movements simultaneously.
Walking
Parkinson's patients who regularly walk on a treadmill are likely to have higher levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine than patients who don't, according to 2007 research at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. This is significant because Parkinson's disease symptoms are caused by the loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine in the midbrain. Although walking can be a rote activity that doesn't demand attention and progressive challenges for a Parkinson's patient, hiking with walking sticks or running on a treadmill in fast and slow intervals can add that extra benefit.
Swimming
Swimming and water exercises such as water aerobics can be safer cardiovascular exercises for people with Parkinson's because they don't demand as much balancing skill and they are typically softer on the joints. Swimming may also improve coordination and reduce stiffness in the muscles. However, swimming laps can be habitual and automatic in the same way as walking at a steady pace on a treadmill. Swimmers with Parkinson's can challenge themselves by incorporating a variety of strokes while keeping their eyes open and add resistance tools such as paddles to encourage reciprocal movements in their arms and legs.
Bodyweight Exercises
Parkinson's patients, like anyone else, will experience a loss of muscle mass as they age if they don't strengthen their muscles. Strengthening exercises will also improve balance and posture. However, traditional weight lifting isn't ideal for Parkinson's patients because it can contribute to stiffness and it is often an automatic activity that doesn't provide a challenge. Alternative strengthening activities such as push-ups, modified squats and repetitively sitting on and raising from a chair are more likely to benefit a Parkinson's disease patient.
Facial Exercises
Working out minute muscle groups in the face is also important because it helps reduce symptoms associated with muscle stiffness, including stunted facial expressions and trouble speaking. Using the body's muscles as much as possible through actions such as reading aloud with exaggerated lip motions, making exaggerated faces in the mirror and vigorously chewing food will help reduce muscle stiffness.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Parkinson's Disease: Treatments and Drugs
- The Center for Neurologic Study: Exercises for the Parkinson Patient
- ScienceDaily: Exercise May Aid Parkinson's Patients
- Cleveland Clinic: Diseases & Conditions
- Parkinson Research Foundation: Physiotherapy Exercises for Parkinson's Disease
- UCSF Parkinson's Disease Clinic and Research Center: Exercise and Physical Therapy
