Article

Exercise may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans and reduce PD symptoms in animal models.
The beneficial effects have been linked
to increased levels of neurotrophic factors. OBJECTIVE:
We examined whether
intensive rehabilitation treatment reduces motor disability in patients in the
early stages of PD and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum
levels. METHODS: Thirty participants in the early stages of PD treated with
rasagiline were randomly assigned to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment that
included aerobic exercise for 28 days (Group 1) or to not therapy (control; Group
2). BDNF serum levels were assessed at time T0 (baseline, before treatment), T1
(10 days), T2 (20 days), and T3 (28 days). At T0 and T3, we assessed the Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III in both groups, as well as the UPDRS
II and total, Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test only in Group 1.
RESULTS: BDNF levels significantly increased at T1 in Group 1, an increase that
was maintained throughout the treatment period. At T3 compared to T0, UPDRS III
scores significantly improved in Group 1 along with scores for UPDRS II, total,
Berg Balance Scale, and 6-minute walking test. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive
rehabilitation treatment increases the BDNF levels and improves PD signs in
patients in the early stages of the disease.
These results are in line with
studies on animal models of PD and healthy subjects.

Langue : ANGLAIS