Parkinson’s patients may protect memory and movement with one simple habit

Physical activity was assessed through structured interviews covering moderate and vigorous activities at work, at home and during recreation.(iStock)

Patients who werephysically activefor four to eight hours per week experienced slower declines in memory and thinking abilities than those who exercised less than four hours.

Exercise duration above eight hours per week did not appear to provide additional benefits for memory and thinking.

The study was published Oct.7 in Neurology, the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

PARKINSON’S PATIENT’S YEARSLONG TREMOR VANISHES WITHIN MINUTES OF NEW ULTRASOUND TREATMENT

“Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems that gradually worsen, leading to disability and a loss of independence,” study author Dong-Woo Ryu, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Cincinnati and The Catholic University of Korea, said in the press release.

“Previous research has shown associations betweenphysical activityand movement symptoms.Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition.”

“While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time.”

Ryu pointed out that the potential benefits of physical activity for Parkinson’s patients may depend on how long they stay active and whether they continue exercising over time.

“While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time,” he said.

“Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems that gradually worsen, leading to disability and a loss of independence,” a study author said.(iStock)

The researchers cautioned that most participants had relatively strong thinking and memory skills when the study began, so additional research is needed to confirm the findings.

Read More → Mother of dead Russian anti-plague institute worker: ‘I know the truth’

“Exercise has well-established benefits for physical fitness and mobility, along with potential benefits forbrain healththrough mechanisms that are not yet fully understood,” Dr.Vibhash Sharma, a neurologist at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, who specializes in Parkinson�

“These findings further emphasize the importance of regular physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease.”

One of the strengths of the study is that patients were followed over several years, with assessments of both motor and cognitive function, noted Sharma, who was not involved in the research.

Read More → Julian Sayin vs.Josh Hoover: Two Different Paths, Same Championship Ambitions

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

Because the study was observational, it could not establish whether exercise directly slows Parkinson’sdisease progression.

Because participants reported their own physical activity, they may not have accurately remembered how much they exercised.(iStock)

Read More → Can Dodgers Flip A 3-Game Deficit?Big Papi, Jeter, A-Rod Know It Can Happen

Also, as participants reported their own physical activity, they may not have accurately remembered how much they exercised.

The participants were all located at a single location and were primarily White, which could limit the generalizability of the results, the researchers noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“It is also possible that patients with inherently slower-progressing disease are more likely to remainphysically active,” Sharma added.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

Randomized studies are needed to confirm whether exercise directly slows cognitive or motor decline, according to the researchers.

Read More → Four American tourists among 6 killed after explosion levels building near Athens’ Acropolis

The study was supported by a grant from the Gardner Family Foundation and the Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund.

Story tips can be sent to melissa.com.