Parkinson’s decline slowed by aerobic exercise at home
Clinical trial shows patients can be motivated to exercise independently
A home-based, remotely supervised program of aerobic exercise improves motor scores in patients with Parkinson’s disease, Dutch researchers report.
The study evaluated the effect of home-based high-intensity aerobic exercise on motor signs of Parkinson’s disease in 130 patients with mild disease who were on common treatment regimens.
The aerobic exercise group was instructed to cycle on a stationary home-trainer for 30 minutes, at least three times per week, within a predetermined heart-rate zone using an “exergaming” app.
The active control group was given an app that led them in doing stretching, flexibility and relaxation exercises three times per week for 30 minutes a session.
