Can exercise really slow my father's parkinson's progression?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father was diagnosed with Parkinson's about eight months ago. He is 56 and still pretty active. He used to go for walks every morning before this.

His neurologist mentioned that exercise helps but did not really go into detail, and my father is the type to need a real reason before he commits to something.

Can exercise really slow down Parkinson's progression at age 56, or is that just something doctors say to make patients feel better?

His last checkup showed his dopamine response is still moderate, so he is not in a really advanced stage yet.

Kindly help

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It is understandable that you’d want concrete evidence rather than just reassurance. The good news is that exercise is one of the most consistently supported treatments that do not involve drugs for parkinson's disease.

Although there is no definitive proof that exercise can halt or reverse the progression of the disease, there is mounting evidence that regular physical activity might help to slow functional decline, improve movement, balance, walking, strength, and quality of life, and may even have beneficial effects on brain health.

This is a great time to get a regular exercise routine going for someone like your father, who is 56, still active, and in an earlier stage with a moderate response to dopamine medication. Fast walks, bicycling, swimming, weight training, exercises to help your balance, stretches, and activities that require coordination and movement, such as dance or tai chi, are all useful.

Most specialists recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, adjusted for his abilities and safety.

This is not just something doctors tell you to make you feel good. Exercise is not a cure, but it is seen as an important aspect of Parkinson's disease management, as people who remain physically active often retain their mobility and independence for longer.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.