http://www.nbc17.com/health/2526896/detail.html
Article: Exercise For Parkinson's
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative
neurological disorder. Parkinson's is the result of the loss
of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical
messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain.
Parkinson's results when certain nerve cells that produce dopamine
die or become impaired. Patients are left unable to direct or control
their movement in a normal manner. The primary symptoms of
Parkinson's are tremors, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, slowness
of movement; and impaired balance and coordination. Patients may
also have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
A number of medications can help slow the condition, but these often
have negative side effects when used long term.
A PHYSICAL APPROACH: Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center are looking to a non-drug approach to slow the progression
of Parkinson's. They're doing it with targeted exercises. The study is based
on animal research that showed rats and monkeys with Parkinson's that
exercised experienced a neuro-protective effect. Now, researchers are
looking to see if the results can be duplicated in humans.
The study is made up of 12-week cycles during which time, the participants
perform specific activities that target the symptoms of Parkinson's and are
tested for reaction times and balance measurements, as well as speed in
performing certain activities. The first of the 12-week cycles showed an
improvement in both reaction times and balance.
Physical therapist Kathi Brandfass hopes to see the delay of symptomology
continue with subsequent study. The exercises performed include stretching,
weight-training and exercises that initiate the development of new motor
programs. These are intended to improve balance and posture.
Since Parkinson's often afflicts one side of the body more than the other,
the exercises use both sides of the body. Some of the exercises involved
in the study are:
Basketball, which requires focusing on a target and throwing
Tossing a ball while walking forward and backward
Kicking cones
Weaving through cones
Activities that require speed changes
Walking up and down stairs
Standing back to back with a partner and passing a ball over
their shoulder and by their knees
For More Information, Contact:
UPMC, Sports Medicine
3200 S. Water St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 432-3700
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