The effect of therapeutic exercise on the clinical picture and quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease: A narrative review and update of evidence-based physioth

Abstract

: Background: Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disease that affects a large part of the global population. Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on people with Parkinson’s disease. However, the appropriate type of exercise requires further investigation. Aim: The purpose of this narrative review was to present the most recent and up-to-date data on the implementation of resistance and endurance exercise programs in patients with Parkinson’s disease and to provide information on the parameters and content of the programs based on evidential practice. Results: This review was based on the findings of recent clinical studies and systematic reviews applied to patients with Parkinson’s and related to the implementation of resistance training programs or endurance exercises individually or in combination with other types of training. Conclusions: Resistance exercises seem to be the most promising type of training in Parkinson’s patients. However, better results seem to derive from combination protocols, where resistance exercises are combined with endurance and balance exercises. The effects of exercise relate to both the treat-ment of motor disorders of the disease and factors related to quality of life. More studies are needed in the future on larger samples in order to investigate the most effective therapeutic combination.