Effects of exercise in Parkinson's Disease

Objective; to evaluate the effects of exercise in Parkinson?s DiseaseMaterials and Methods; 36 voluntary patients with Parkinsonism Syndrome were enrolled to this study during the period between February 2007 and January 2009. Patients were referred from the department of Neurology to the department of Physical Medicine&Rehabilitation. Exclusion criteria included being at the stage of Hoehn-Yahr 4 and 5, having the diagnosis of major depression, change in pharmocological treatment for parkinsonism symptoms during rehabilitation program or having a diagnosis of secondary parkinsonism syndrome. 18 patients were excluded in line with the above exclusion criteria. 2 patients did not complete the rehabilitation program. 16 patients were analyzed at the end of the program. 3 patients did not come to control 6 week after the end of the intervention. In the final evaluation there were thirteen patients. The rehabilitation program included exercises for range of motion, strengthing, stretching, balance and coordination, ambulation, posture and also aerobics. UPDRS, Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale, Timed Up&Go Test were used as assesment tools. Data were statistically evaluated by paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test and Chi-square test.Results; Mean age of patients was 65,44±9,55 years. Mean duration of disease after diagnosis was 6,84±3,99 years. Patients? mean Hoehn-Yahr stage was 2,63±0,72. When patiens were allocated according to gender, there was no difference between groups in descriptive properties or the results of assessment tools.There was no difference between fallers and non-fallers. Analyzing the changes in UPDRS scores, Tinetti balance and gait scores, timed up&go test during the study revealed significant improvement in UPDRS Part2 (activity of daily living part) after the exercise program. Furthermore this improvement was maintained after 6 weeks in the follow up period.Conclusion; Exercises can provide some improvement on the functional status of Parkinson patients.