Editorial
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Methodol. Sep 26, 2014; 4(3): 133-143
Published online Sep 26, 2014. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v4.i3.133
Effects of physical activity in Parkinson's disease: A new tool for rehabilitation
Paolo Borrione, Eliana Tranchita, Pierpaolo Sansone, Attilio Parisi
Paolo Borrione, Eliana Tranchita, Pierpaolo Sansone, Attilio Parisi, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00194 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: Sansone P and Tranchita E contributed equally in writing the article and in reviewing the literature; Borrione P and Parisi A contributed in the conception, design, writing and final approval of the article.
Correspondence to: Paolo Borrione, MD, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00194 Rome, Italy. paolo.borrione@uniroma4.it
Telephone: +39-06-36733569 Fax: +39-06-36733344
Received: March 20, 2014
Revised: May 28, 2014
Accepted: July 25, 2014
Published online: September 26, 2014
Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Motor disorders are composite and combined, adversely affecting the patient’s health. Tremor and rigidity are correlated with worsening manual dexterity as well as postural changes such as akinesia and camptocormia. Moreover, gait alteration as well as postural instability, with consequent impairment in balance, increase the risk of falls. It is well known that these symptoms respond poorly to pharmacologic therapy in PD patients. Physical therapy is the most effective non-pharmacological aid to PD patients. Available data in the literature indicate that any rehabilitation protocol has to focus on: cognitive movement strategies, cueing strategies, and improved physical capacity and balance. Different training programs for PD patients have been designed and evaluated but only specific training strategies, tailored and individualized for each patient, may produce improvements in gait speed and stride length, decrease motor and balance symptoms and improve quality of life. Furthermore, aerobic training may improve muscle trophism, strength and mobility. It seems reasonable to state that tailored physical activity is a valid tool to be included in the therapeutic program of PD patients, considering that this approach may ameliorate the symptoms as well as the overall physical incapacity, reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and ultimately improve quality of life.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, Motor disorders, Postural instability, Physical exercise, Training

Core tip: A review of the literature underlines the importance of tailored physical activity in patients with Parkinson disease. Several studies demonstrated the key role that specific training strategies may have on motor disorders and postural instability affecting patients with Parkinson disease. Since it has been clearly demonstrated that these symptoms respond poorly to pharmacologic therapy, it seems necessary to combine the traditional treatment of Parkinson disease with a specific exercise training strategy in order to reduce motor disorders as well as postural instability, with the aim of improving quality of life of the patients affected by this neurologic disease.