Low-impact exercises for improving symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: A Literature Review

Previous studies have demonstrated the potential efficacy of low-impact exercises in alleviating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This literature review aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of low-impact exercises on various domains, including balance, gait, motor function, and overall quality of life in individuals with PD. Methods: Extensive searches were conducted across reputable academic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO electronic repositories. The Cochrane risk assessment tool was employed to evaluate the methodological quality of the selected studies. Out of 1287 initially identified records, 20 studies met the stringent inclusion criteria for this literature review. Results: The review revealed significant and positive effects of lowimpact exercises on various outcome measures. The amalgamation of diverse outcome measures, including UPDRS, Berg Balance Scale, TUG, 6MWT, and PDQ-39, showcased the multifaceted impact of low-impact exercises on both motor and non-motor symptoms. Notably, aerobic exercises, such as treadmill walking, cycling, and group sessions, emerged as pivotal interventions, demonstrating improvements in gait, balance, flexibility, and overall quality of life for PD individuals. Conclusion: In summary, this literature review provides compelling evidence that low-impact exercises yield significant improvements in balance, gait parameters (velocity and stride/step length), and overall motor function among individuals grappling with Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important to note that these exercises did not have a discernible impact on step cadence or on the overall quality of life as assessed by the Parkinson’s disease Questionnaire-39. These findings emphasize the potential benefits of integrating low-impact exercises into the management of PD-related symptoms.

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