Exercise as medicine in Parkinson's disease

Martin Langeskov-Christensen*, Erika Franzén, Lars Grøndahl Hvid, Ulrik Dalgas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperReviewResearchpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable and progressive neurological disorder leading to deleterious motor and non-motor consequences. Presently, no pharmacological agents can prevent PD evolution or progression, while pharmacological symptomatic treatments have limited effects in certain domains and cause side effects. Identification of interventions that prevent, slow, halt or mitigate the disease is therefore pivotal. Exercise is safe and represents a cornerstone in PD rehabilitation, but exercise may have even more fundamental benefits that could change clinical practice. In PD, the existing knowledge base supports exercise as (1) a protective lifestyle factor preventing the disease (ie, primary prevention), (2) a potential disease-modifying therapy (ie, secondary prevention) and (3) an effective symptomatic treatment (ie, tertiary prevention). Based on current evidence, a paradigm shift is proposed, stating that exercise should be individually prescribed as medicine to persons with PD at an early disease stage, alongside conventional medical treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Article number23332974
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Volume95
Issue11
Pages (from-to)1077-1088
Number of pages12
ISSN0022-3050
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Parkinson's disease
  • clinical neurology
  • movement disorders
  • physiology
  • physiotherapy

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