Author: Zhu M1,2, Zhang Y2, Pan J1,3, Fu C4, Wang Y5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hanghzou, China.
<sup>2</sup>The Fouth School of Medicine affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hanghzou, China.
<sup>3</sup>The First School of Medicine affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hanghzou, China.
<sup>4</sup>Department of Neurology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hanghzou, China.
<sup>5</sup>Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hanghzou, China - dr_yqwang@zcmu.edu.cn.
Conference/Journal: J Sports Med Phys Fitness.
Date published: 2019 Oct 25
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.10104-1. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 257
BACKGROUND: Tai Chi, a kind of physical exercise, may act as a non-pharmacologic approach to reducing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of simplified Tai Chi training plus routine exercise on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease in comparison with routine exercise regimen alone.
METHODS: 41 outpatients and inpatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were randomized into Tai Chi group (n=19) and routine exercise group as control group (n=22) for 12 weeks. The Tai Chi group included both Tai Chi traning and routine exercise. Motor and non-motor functions were assessed. Motor function was evaluated by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The non-motor symptoms like quality of life, sleep quality, depression and anxiety state, cognitive function were assessed by Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) respectively.
RESULTS: After 12 weeks of intervention, participants in both Tai Chi and routine exercise groups gained effects in UPDRS-III, BBS, PDQ-39, PDSS and HAMD compared to the baseline. However, significant improvements between Tai Chi group and routine exercise group were only found in PDSS (P=0.029) and MoCA (P=0.024).
CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi training plus routine exercise might therefore be an ideal alternative non-pharmacological approach for the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD patients, and especially be more useful for the improvement of sleep quality and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease compared with routine exercise regimen alone.
PMID: 31665879 DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.10104-1