Objective: To examine whether the brisk walking program would be effective in alleviating non-motor symptoms, and improving sleep quality and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in people with mild to moderate PD at 6-week post-training.

Background: Brisk walking is a form of moderate-intensity aerobic walking exercise involving good coordination of big arm swing and large steps. Our previous pilot study indicated that a 6-week brisk walking program increased in motor performance, balance and walking capacity among people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease (PD) [1]. However, the effects of brisk walking on non-motor symptoms, sleep quality and HRQoL have not been investigated.

Method: Eligible participants were randomized into either experimental group (EXP) or upper limb group (CON). The EXP group received brisk walking exercise using a smartwatch tracker to monitor training at moderate intensity (40-60% heart rate reserve). The exercise data collected by trackers was accessible by trainers via on-line portal. The CON group practiced upper limb stretching and strengthening, and dexterity training in sitting. All participants attended six 90-minute weekly sessions under physiotherapy supervision, and performed home exercise twice weekly to reach 150 minutes of weekly exercise time at end of week-6. This training was first part of a 6-month study with 6-month follow-up. Outcome measures included Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale non-motor (MDS-UPDRS-I) score [2], Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [3] and Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 summary index (PDQ-39 SI) [4].

Results: Sixty-four participants (32 EXP, 32 CON) completed six training sessions in the first 6 weeks. Significant group*time interaction was found for the non-motor outcome using 2-way ANOVA. Immediately post 6-week training, only the EXP group significantly increased the MDS-UPDRS-I score (mean change= -2.4, p<0.001). The post-training mean changes of PSQI score and PDQ-39 SI in the EXP group were -1.6 and -1.2, respectively as compared with those in the CON group, not reaching significant differences. No adverse effects were reported during the training period.

Conclusion: The brisk walking program alleviates non-motor symptoms in people with PD at 6-week post-training. Further study is important to investigate the long-term effects of this program.

References: 1. Wong-Yu IS, Choi E, Lai TK, et al. Efficacy of a mobile technology-based brisk walking program in improving dynamic balance and motor performance in people with Parkinson disease – a randomized controlled trial. J Parkinsons Dis 2019;9:153. 2. Goetz CG, Tilley BC, Shaftman SR, et al. Movement Disorder Society‐sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS): Scale presentation and clinimetric testing results. Mov Disord 2008;23:2129–2170. 3. Tsang KL, Chi I, Ho SL, et al. Translation and validation of the standard Chinese version of PDQ-39: a quality-of-life measure for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Movement disorders: official journal of the Movement Disorder Society 2002;17:1036-1040. 4. Chong AM, Cheung CK. Factor structure of a Cantonese-version Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Sleep and Biological Rhythms 2012;10:118-125.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-a-6-week-brisk-walking-program-in-improving-non-motor-symptoms-in-people-with-parkinson-disease-a-randomized-controlled-trial/