Objective: To test whether the regular practice of yoga (1) improves motor and non-motor symptoms and signs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) more than aerobic training and (2) restores the deficient plastic responsiveness of hand area of motor cortex (M1) and improves hand dexterity.

Background: Though the benefits of physical activity in PD are known, many questions remain unanswered such as the form of exercise which is most effective and the frequency of performing them.

Method: 100 PD patients without dementia, severe gait or balance impairment or psychiatric co-morbidities were enrolled. At baseline, they were scored using UPDRS I-IV both OFF and ON medications, Becks Depression Inventory (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and PDQ-39. They were randomised in1:1 ratio to the yoga or aerobic exercise group and received1week of daily, supervised training on-site, followed by daily training at home for 30 minutes, 5 days a week for12 weeks. The time spent performing the target intervention was recorded in a diary provided. A subset of 30 subjects (15 in each group) was tested for hand dexterity (Purdue pegboard test) and plastic responsiveness of hand area of motor cortex to paired associative stimulation. Baseline tests were repeated at 12 weeks.

Results: Significance level was set at<0.007 to correct for multiple comparisons. UPDRS total and motor scores did not improve with either interventions. Both trainings improved BDI (P<0.002), HADS-A (P <0.004), NMSS and PDQ-39total scores (P<0.0001). Yoga,but not aerobic exercises improved HADS –D (P<0.0001) and fatigue(P<0.0001) scores, subscores for attention, memory (NMSS 5) and wellbeing (PDQ-39 subscore 3). Hand dexterity improved after both interventions (P <0.0001) with yoga having a stronger effect than aerobic exercise. M1 plasticty which was limited at baseline increased significantly (120-130%) after both trainings(P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Regular practice of yoga for 3 months had a beneficial effect on non motor signs and symptoms of PD. Three months of either aerobic exercise or yoga improved anxiety and quality of life with a more marked effect of yoga on fatigue, emotional state, attention, well-being and mobility feelings. Both interventions had positive effect on manual dexterity and motor cortex plasticity.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-regular-practice-of-yoga-versus-aerobic-exercise-on-motor-and-non-motor-signs-and-motor-cortex-plasticity-in-parkinsons-disease/