Objective: This study is a cross-sectional exploratory analysis of lifestyle factors and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptomatology that suggests areas for targeted research into specific lifestyle interventions for PD patients.

Background: PD is complex and involves multiple motor and non-motor symptoms with wide variation in presentation between individuals. The need for flexibility when treating PD makes lifestyle interventions an attractive complement to pharmaceutical approaches. Few datasets allow broad assessment of lifestyle and assess their simultaneous impact on progression of symptoms.

Method: This cross-sectional study examined 73 PD patients who provided a broad range of disease, lifestyle and health variables. PD symptomatology was assessed using the full MDS-UPDRS (I, II, III, and IV) assessment and the PDQ-39 survey. Lifestyle variables were assessed using subjective and objective assessments based on a literature review of lifestyle and PD. An exploratory approach that selected the strongest correlation of independent lifestyle variables in five multiple linear regression models explained disease progression (MDS-UPDRS (I-IV) & PDQ-39). Three base variables (age, years since onset, and levodopa-equivalent medication dose) and lifestyle variables comprised Model 1. Only base variables and significant lifestyle variables were included in Model 2.

Results: The strongest correlations with PD symptomatology were psychological variables (stress, depression, mood, social support), fitness, physical function, cognition, and body composition. Linear models accounted for significant variability in PD symptomatology (adj. R2) ranging from 0.19 to 0.65. Significant lifestyle predictors were: UPDRS I – Psychological variables,  UPDRS II – Depression & Figure of Eight,  UPDRS III – Physical function, Fitness & Cognition, UPDRS IV – Resistance training & Mood, and PDQ-39 –  Mood & Physical function.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that lifestyle variables, largely modifiable by the patient, are strongly associated with PD symptomatology. Further research should explore if deterioration, maintenance, and improvement in healthy behaviors could impact PD symptoms. A sense of control over PD symptoms may benefit the lives of PD patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/exploratory-cross-sectional-analysis-of-lifestyle-and-parkinsons-disease-symptomatology/