Supervisors info:
Αναστάσιος Φιλίππου, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μαρία Μαριδάκη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, ΤΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Θεόδωρος Πιτταράς, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Aim: The aim of this study is the systematic review of the impact of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Material and method: A search in the related scientific literature was performed using the scientific databases Pubmed, Pedro, Cinahl, Scopus and Embase for the period between 2015-2020. Selection criteria were high quality randomized trials (rated with a score higher than 6 on the Pedro scale) and the intervention being only resistance exercises, or aerobic exercise, or the combination of these two types of exercise without combination with any other therapeutic intervention.
Results: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this systematic review, a final selection of 31 studies was made. The analysis of these studies revealed that the use of aerobic exercise has a positive effect on functional ability, the improvement of motor symptoms, increase of muscle strength, as well as improvement of balance and flexibility in patients with Parkinson’s disease. There is also a decrease in resting heart rate, a decrease in blood pressure, an improvement in respiratory function and an improvement in skeletal muscle metabolic function. In addition, a positive effect of exercise protocols on the symptoms of fatigue and depression was observed in these patients.
Resistance exercise programs have also a beneficial effect on muscle strength, bradykinesia, tremor and balance. Specifically, the gait spatial and temporal parameters, and functional ability are improved, while the freezing symptoms and the fear of falling are reduced. There is also a beneficial effect on cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic function, parameters of cognitive, function such as memory, as well as on the feeling of fatigue, anxiety, nervousness, and sleep disturbances.
Conclusions: The utilization of aerobic and resistance exercise programs has beneficial effects on functional and clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, both independently and in their combination. These beneficial effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on the functional ability and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease make them useful components of a therapeutic intervention plan.
Keywords:
Parkinson, Aerobic exercise, Aerobic training, Resistance exercise, Resistance training, Strength training
