Parkinson’s treatment gets a surprising sparring partner
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Martial arts challenge the body and mind. [They] improve sequencing of movements, spatial awareness, and reaction timing. This dual-tasking supports cognitive reserve and may slow the progression of cognitive decline often seen in Parkinson's disease.
Daniel Truong, MD, neurologist and Medical Director at the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA
More than 1 million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s disease (PD).[] One patient, Phil Churchill, a 49-year-old man from the UK, told the BBC that martial arts help him cope with the physical and mental health effects of the condition.[] And experts say the idea could have merit.
“There is a strong and growing case that physicians should consider recommending or even ‘prescribing’ martial arts or other structured physical activities as part of a comprehensive care plan for individuals with Parkinson's disease,” says Daniel Truong, MD, a neurologist and Medical Director at the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, and Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders.
“In the late stage, gait instability and fall risk are the main problems. With tai chi, patients have shown significant improvement in balance, reduced falls, and enhanced motor control. Furthermore, martial arts challenge the body and mind. [They] improve sequencing of movements, spatial awareness, and reaction timing. This dual-tasking supports cognitive reserve and may slow the progression of cognitive decline often seen in PD,” Dr. Truong says.
Related: Prescribe pickleball for Parkinson'sAn exercise prescription
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating and managing PD, exercise plays an important role in slowing disease progression.[]
Martial arts may be beneficial in PD, as they improve motor and balance... For people living with Parkinson’s disease, exercise can help with mobility, flexibility, maintaining balance, [and] being able to continue with activities of daily living.
Daniel Truong, MD
Exercise can also assist with other PD symptoms such as constipation and depression.
Research indicates that people who start exercising earlier in the course of their disease—for a minimum of 2.5 hours each week—experienced a slower decline in their quality of life compared with those who started exercising later.[]
Churchill began martial arts 9 years ago at the age of 40.[] Now 49, he still teaches 16 martial arts classes a week, despite struggling with pain, balance, and coordination. "I always feel better when I'm teaching," Churchill told the BBC. “It keeps my mind focused and not on whatever today’s issue is.”
What to recommend to patients
The Parkinson’s Foundation has collaborated with the American College of Sports Medicine to create exercise recommendations specifically for people with PD.[]
The recommendations suggest an exercise program that includes aerobic activity of moderate to vigorous intensity 3 days per week for at least 30 minutes, as well as strength training for major muscle groups on 2 to 3 nonconsecutive days a week for at least 30 minutes.
Stretching more than 2 to 3 days a week is also recommended, in addition to balance, agility, and multitasking exercises, such as yoga or boxing, at least 2 to 3 days a week, with daily integration if possible.
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