Exercise gains may persist after programs for Parkinson’s disease end
A review found better balance, walking and motor scores months after exercise ended, although results varied widely and evidence certainty was low to moderate.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
People with Parkinson’s disease in exercise groups had better balance, walking and overall motor function scores at later follow-up than control groups in the pooled studies. This suggests some gains may persist after programs end, but the evidence cannot reliably predict an individual’s improvement or identify the best exercise program.
The authors rated certainty from low to moderate because studies differed substantially. This abstract-based explanation cannot resolve which program offers the most consistent lasting benefit.
What researchers found
Dynamic balance at follow-up
Dynamic balance favored exercise over control 3–23 months after programs ended. The standardized mean difference measures the group gap in standard deviations: units describing how widely participants’ scores vary. The confidence interval shows uncertainty; these values are neither balance-test points nor percentages.
Looking beyond program completion
The review asked whether improvements remained after exercise programs ended. It combined controlled trials measuring balance, walking ability and general motor function, extending assessment beyond the immediate results at program completion.
Disease stage matters
Subgroup results placed lasting walking improvements mainly in early- and mid-stage disease. Different exercise approaches contributed to different outcomes, so the overall pooled result should not be read as a ranking of programs.
The original publication
Sustained Effects of Physiotherapy Interventions on Balance, Gait, and General Motor Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Hasani M, Sidiropoulou I, Christakou A et al.
NeuroSci · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 42042623
- Record checked
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