Effects of a multimodal exercise program on the functional capacity of Parkinson's disease patients considering disease severity and gender

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a multimodal exercise program (MEP) on the functional capacity of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) according to disease severity and gender. Fourteen patients with PD participated in the study and were distributed into groups according to 1) stage of disease and 2) gender. Functional capacity was evaluated before and after 6 months of intervention. The overall PD patient group improved their coordination and strength. Men and women improved in strength performance after exercise. Men also improved on coordination. For severity of disease, the unilateral group improved in strength, while the bilateral group improved in strength, balance, coordination and the UPDRS-functional score. In conclusion, a MEP is efficient in improving components of functional capacity in patients with PD, especially in strength. Gender may be considered in the exercise program. Individuals in the bilateral disease group appeared to benefit more from exercise.

本研究旨在探究多模态运动方案（multimodal exercise program, MEP）对帕金森病（Parkinson's disease, PD）患者功能能力的影响，并依据疾病严重程度与性别开展分层分析。本研究共纳入14名帕金森病患者，并按照1）疾病分期、2）性别两个维度进行分组。于干预6个月前后对患者的功能能力进行评估。结果显示，整体帕金森病患者群体的协调能力与肌力均得到改善；男女患者的肌力表现均在运动干预后有所提升，男性患者的协调能力亦得到改善。按疾病严重程度分层分析可见，单侧患病组患者的肌力得到提升，而双侧患病组患者的肌力、平衡能力、协调能力以及统一帕金森病评定量表功能评分（UPDRS-functional score）均获得改善。综上，多模态运动方案可有效改善帕金森病患者的多项功能能力指标，其中以肌力提升效果尤为显著；性别因素可作为运动方案制定的参考维度；双侧患病患者似乎能从运动干预中获得更多获益。