Effects and parameters of community-based exercise on motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

Author: Chun-Lan Yang1,2,3, Jia-Peng Huang1,3, Ting-Ting Wang1,3, Ying-Chao Tan4, Yin Chen1,3, Zi-Qi Zhao1,3, Chao-Hua Qu1,3, Yun Qu5,6
Affiliation:
1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
2 Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China.
3 Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
4 Enshi Prefecture Central Hospital, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China.
5 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China. dr_yunqu@163.com.
6 Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China. dr_yunqu@163.com.
Conference/Journal: BMC Neurol
Date published: 2022 Dec 29
Other: Volume ID: 22 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 505 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-03027-z. , Word Count: 337


Background:
Community-based exercise is a continuation and complement to inpatient rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease and does not require a professional physical therapist or equipment. The effects, parameters, and forms of each exercise are diverse, and the effect is affected by many factors. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect and the best parameters for improving motor symptoms and to explore the possible factors affecting the effect of community-based exercise. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of six databases: PEDro, PubMed/Medline, CENTRAL, Scopus, Embase, and WOS. Studies that compared community-based exercise with usual care were included. The intervention mainly included dance, Chinese martial arts, Nordic walking, and home-based exercise. The primary outcome measure was the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) score. The mean difference (95% CI) was used to calculate the treatment outcomes of continuous outcome variables, and the I2 statistic was used to estimate the heterogeneity of the statistical analysis. We conducted subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis to determine the optimal parameters and the most important influencing factors of the exercise effect. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies that enrolled a total of 809 subjects were included in the analysis. Exercise had a positive effect on the UPDRS-III (MD = -5.83; 95% CI, -8.29 to -3.37), Timed Up and Go test (MD = -2.22; 95% CI -3.02 to -1.42), UPDRS ((MD = -7.80; 95% CI -10.98 to -6.42), 6-Minute Walk Test (MD = 68.81; 95% CI, 32.14 to 105.48), and Berg Balance Scale (MD = 4.52; 95% CI, 2.72 to 5.78) scores. However, the heterogeneity of each included study was obvious. Weekly frequency, age, and duration of treatment were all factors that potentially influenced the effect.

Conclusions:
This meta-analysis suggests that community-based exercise may benefit motor function in patients with PD. The most commonly used modalities of exercise were tango and tai chi, and the most common prescription was 60 min twice a week. Future studies should consider the influence of age, duration of treatment, and weekly frequency on the effect of exercise.

Prospero trial registration number:
CRD42022327162.

Keywords: Data synthesis; Exercise; Movement; Parkinson’s disease; Prescription; Review.

PMID: 36581847 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-03027-z

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