Objective: To clarify the effect of boxing exercise on balance, muscle strength and mobility in elderly patients with chronic disease including Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Boxing training might improve balance and mobility, and help prevent falls in elderly patients with PD. Fasano A. et al recommended group or minimally to moderately supervised exercise including boxing in early stage PD patients. However, there are few reports investigating the effect of boxing exercise in elderly patients.

Methods: This study was a pilot study at a single site and open label case series. Inclusion criteria for patients were being able to walk independently with or without an assistive device and having support level 1 or 2 or care level 1or 2 under the Japanese care insurance system. The exclusion criteria were severe dementia (Mini-mental state examination: MMSE<15) and recent cardiovascular disease. The participants chose between the weekly boxing exercise group (group B) and the weekly ordinary exercise group (group O) under the outpatient day service. Physical or occupational therapists supervised these exercises moderately. The primary outcome measured was the functional reach test. We also evaluated times for 5 meters walking and standing on one leg, as well as grip power. We assessed those at the pre-intervention and after 3, 6 and 9 months of exercise.

Results: 18 patients (mean age 80.9 y., male 8, mean MMSE 26.4) were included. 4 patients had PD (HY 2.3) and 4 patients had mild dementia. 9 patients who chose group B had stronger grip power (kg. rt. 25.9, lt. 25.9) than those in group O (rt. 16.6, lt. 15.3) at the pre-intervention. The mean functional reach distance (cm) in group B increased significantly from 24.5 at the pre-intervention to 28.8 after 9 months of exercise (95% confidence interval, -8.00 to -0.54; p = 0.03). We didn’t find significant improvement in the other measured values in the two groups.

Conclusions: Nine months boxing exercise increased the distance at functional reach test. More vigorous training for longer period of time might produce good results.

References: 1. Fasano A, et al. Falls in Parkinson’s disease: A complex and evolving picture. Mov Disord. 2017; 32: 1524–36. 2. Combs SA, et al. Community-based group exercise for persons with Parkinson disease: A randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabil 2013; 32: 117-124.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effectiveness-of-boxing-exercise-in-elderly-patients-including-parkinsons-disease-patients/