Objective: To examine trends in type, frequency, and effectiveness of exercise in Parkinson’s patients based on gender, race, and years since diagnosis.

Background: Exercise has been shown to improve symptoms for Parkinson’s patients. However, it is unclear what types of exercise Parkinson’s disease patients find beneficial. Information on these exercise trends will help in developing exercise programs targeting compliance.

Methods: 58 PD patients completed an exercise survey as part of their movement disorder clinic visit. Specific information on the frequency of exercise, the impact of exercise on their PD symptoms, and whether they exercise alone or with others was noted. The age, gender, race, and number of years since diagnosis were also recorded. Three patients were excluded due to incomplete surveys.

Results: Of the 55 patients included in the study, 51% were Caucasian males, 38% were Caucasian females, 7% were African American males, and 4% were of another race. 67% of patients exercise at least twice a week for at least 30 minutes at a time, and 97% feel that it improves their symptoms. 34% of patients exercise alone. Walking was the most common type of exercise reported (87%), followed by stretching (58%) and biking (25%).

Conclusions: In our patient population, patients exercise and continue to do so over the course of their disease process. Men and women, and individuals in all stages of PD exercise.  Individuals with PD are more likely to exercise several times a week with walking being the preferred type of exercise.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/exercise-trends-reported-in-parkinsons-patients/