Effect of Exercise on the Clinical Progression of Parkinson Disease (P06.082)

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effect of physical activity on the clinical progression of PD.

Background Animal models suggest that exercise could impact on the progression of Parkinson disease (PD). Only short-term effect of exercise in patients with PD has been explored.

Design/Methods: Patients were diagnosed with PD according to published criteria., had the disease for at least 5 years and had an age at onset over 35. The incidence of disease progression markers (dyskinesia, postural instability, freezing of gait, recurrent falls) were evaluated retrospectively. We used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and the Quebec Survey on Physical Activity and Health (EQAPS) to quantify physical activity performed at the time of assessment and at the time of diagnosis. Transformation into energy cost was made with the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities. Correlations were attempted between the markers of progression and the degree of physical activity.

Results: Forty subjects participated in the study. There were 22 men, age at onset was 58.4 +/-10 and duration of disease was 8.9 +/- 3.9 years. Increased total energy expenditure (p=0.048) as well as increased moderate intensity physical activity (p=0.039) on GPAQ, at the time of interview, were associated with delay in postural instability from diagnosis. Participants with high moderate physical activity on GPAQ at diagnosis were less likely to have postural instability at 5 years post-diagnosis (p=0.030). Furthermore, participants with high energy expenditure on EQAPS at the time of interview were less likely to have dyskinesia at 5 years post-diagnosis (p=0.038). The association between quantity of physical activity and freezing of gait and recurrent falls onset were not significant.

Conclusions: In this retrospective study of 40 patients, a significant association was found between an important quantity of physical activity and delay in postural instability and onset of dyskinesia.

Supported by: Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec.

Disclosure: Dr. Gou has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chouinard has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Shires, and Prestwick. Dr. Chouinard has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity from Novartis. Dr. Chouinard has received research support from Novartis, Teva Neuroscience, Elan Corporation, Schering-Plough Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Kyowa, and Amarin. Dr. Jodoin has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, and EMD Serono. Dr. Jodoin has received research support from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Dr. Diab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Panisset has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Allergan, and Merz.Dr. Panisset has received research support from Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, and Allergan.