Does exercise really help in Parkinson’s disease?
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 8.5 million people had Parkinson’s disease in 2019 [1]. It says rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, can improve function and quality of life. Exercise does not stop the disease, but it helps people move better for longer.
The condition makes movement slow and small, and it affects balance and walking. Exercise gives the brain and body practice at doing the opposite: bigger, steadier and faster.
Which type of exercise should you choose?
A Cochrane analysis of 156 trials found little evidence of differences between exercise types for Parkinson’s. Dance had the largest effect on motor signs, and water-based training had the largest effect on quality of life [2]. So the best exercise is the one your parent enjoys enough to keep doing.
A balanced week includes five things: big movements, walking, strength, balance and something enjoyable such as dancing to music. A physiotherapist can combine them in a way that suits your parent’s stage and safety.
What does a home routine look like?
Try this pattern as a start, and ask the physiotherapist to adjust it.
- Big movements: reach high, step wide, swing the arms large, for ten minutes.
- Walking: heel first, long steps, arms swinging, in the house or on the porch.
- Strength: stand up from a sturdy chair, and rise onto the toes at the counter.
- Balance: stand with a hand lightly on the counter, then feet together, then one foot forward.
- Music: move to familiar songs, from old Mandarin and Cantonese tunes to Malay or Tamil film songs.
Keep the movements bigger than feels natural. In Parkinson’s, what feels big is close to normal size.
When is the best time to exercise?
Some people move best when the medicine is working, so ask the neurologist about timing. Exercise then, and keep gentler tasks for the times when the person feels stiff. Note the pattern for a week to see when your parent is at their best.
In Ipoh’s heat, choose early morning or after dinner. Drink water, wear light clothing and keep a fan on. Parkinson’s can lower blood pressure, so stand up slowly after sitting, especially in hot weather.
How do you keep it safe at home?
Set up a place with a sturdy chair, a kitchen counter to hold and a clear floor. Remove loose mats and slippers that slide. Put a chair close by for rests.
Stop if there is chest pain, faintness, new confusion or a fall. Tell the doctor about falls, even small ones. Our guides on freezing while walking and fear of falling cover two common worries.
How does home physiotherapy help?
We assess how your parent moves, then choose exercises that match their stage and the layout of the house. We teach the family and helper how to cue steps and keep the routine safe. We also review it as symptoms change.
Read more about Parkinson’s rehabilitation and home physiotherapy. Our Canning Garden centre, near Fatimah Hospital, is opening soon. Home and centre prices differ and are quoted on WhatsApp.