Author: Shuangshuang Dong1,2, Yiqing Wang1, Hongyu Wei1, Shouyun Du3, Xiaojing Li1, Jianbing Zhu4, Yi Wang4, Zenglin Cai1,5,6
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
<sup>2</sup> Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, China.
<sup>3</sup> Department of Neurology, Guanyun People's Hospital, Lianyungang, China.
<sup>4</sup> Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
<sup>5</sup> Department of Neurology, Gusu University of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
<sup>6</sup> Department of Neurology, Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Neurosci
Date published: 2022 Jan 20
Other:
Volume ID: 15 , Pages: 827180 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fnins.2021.827180. , Word Count: 213
Objectives:
Rehabilitation, aerobic exercise, and many traditional Chinese exercises are known to significantly improve balance in patients with Parkinson's disease. Baduanjin, a traditional physical and mental exercise, has long been practiced for health care as it regulates organs, the nervous and motor systems.
Methods:
We recruited 31 eligible participants. Patients underwent a 3-week Baduanjin program, including 35-min exercise daily. Scores on the Modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), and gait and balance tests were compared before and after the Baduanjin program.
Results:
MDS-UPDRS-total (t = 4.669, P ≤ 0.001), MDS-UPDRS part-I (t = 5.805, P ≤ 0.001), MDS-UPDRS part-II (t = 5.234, P ≤ 0.001), MDS-UPDRS part-III (t = 3.274, P = 0.003), and NMSS (t = 4.815, P ≤ 0.001) scores significantly decreased after the 3-week intervention. Gait parameters like step (t = 2.289, P = 0.030) and cycle (t = 2.181, P = 0.038) durations also significantly improved, while Balance-check® indicators, including the total score (t = -2.147, P = 0.041) and grade (t = 3.432, P = 0.002) significantly differed before and after exercise.
Conclusion:
Baduanjin exercise shows beneficial effects for non-motor symptoms, balance, gait, and daily activities in patients with Parkinson's disease. Baduanjin can be included in the patients' family exercise, which is conducive to their rehabilitation, as well as for obtaining important social and economic benefits.
Clinical trial registration:
[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR-IPR-17011875].
Keywords: Baduanjin; Parkinson’s disease; gait; motor symptoms; non-motor symptoms.
PMID: 35126049 PMCID: PMC8811304 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.827180