Dai (2023) Effects of aquatic exercise on the improvement of lower-extremity motor function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease A meta-analysis
Summary: Aquatic Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Parkinson’s disease (PD), first described in 1817, is the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally. It primarily affects movement and causes symptoms like tremors, bradykinesia, stiffness, and postural instability. The increasing prevalence of PD necessitates effective rehabilitation methods, including exercise therapies. Aquatic exercise, a popular rehabilitation approach for neurological diseases, has garnered interest for its potential benefits in PD treatment.
Study Objective and Methods
The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise on lower-extremity motor function and quality of life in PD patients. Researchers conducted an extensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, and selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for analysis. The studies focused on outcomes measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), Parkinson’s Disease Unified Rating Scale III (UPDRS III), and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)-39.
Findings
The meta-analysis, including 10 RCTs with 298 PD patients, revealed significant improvements in balance, walking ability, and quality of life due to aquatic exercise. However, it showed no significant difference in motor function. The BBS results indicated enhanced balance, while TUGT results showed improved walking ability. PDQ-39 results reflected an improvement in quality of life. These findings suggest the potential of aquatic exercise in enhancing certain aspects of health in PD patients, though its effect on motor function remains unclear.
Mechanisms and Guidelines
Aquatic exercise benefits PD patients through water’s buoyancy, resistance, hydrostatic pressure, and fluidity. These properties allow for effective muscle strength training, postural control, and improved joint mobility, enhancing balance and walking ability. The warm water stimulates temperature receptors and promotes sensorimotor integration, which aids in rehabilitation. European physiotherapy guidelines recommend 45-60 minute sessions three times a week for 3-11 weeks, aligning with the durations observed in the included studies.
Limitations and Conclusion
The study faced limitations such as a small number of included studies, lack of long-term follow-up, non-uniform intervention programs, and potential biases due to unclear implementation of blinding and allocation concealment. Future research with high-quality RCTs is needed to confirm these findings and further explore the role of aquatic exercise in PD treatment.
Aquatic Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
