Does Resistance Training Reduce Falls and Improve Quality of Life in People with Parkinson’s Disease using Strength Training Exercise Programmes?

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder behind Alzheimer’s, affecting around 1% of the population over 50 years old. PD is associated with inhibited motor functions including tremors, muscle rigidity, impaired posture, bradykinesia (slowed movement) and loss of balance. Physical activity is thought to be one of the most important non-pharmacological strategies to target and improve the management of motor symptoms of PD. Objective: To identify the effect of Strength Training (ST) on Falls and Quality of Life (QOL) on people suffering with PD. Method: A systematic search of AMED, Cinahl, Cinhal Plus, CSP Online Library Catalogue, Medline and SportDiscus was conducted; articles were searched until November 2018. Results: Eleven studies were included in this review, with a total of 549 participants of which 539 had a confirmed diagnosis of PD, 10 did not. All eleven included studies were randomised control trials. The training volume including repetitions, sets, frequency and intensity varied between all studies. Interventions showed positive trends in reducing the proportion of fallers and improving QOL Scores. Conclusion: There is some evidence to show that ST is effective at improving strength in People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) and has some passover effects in reducing falls and improving QOL. Future research is required to determine if optimum guideline training volumes for PwPD better support the secondary effects on falls and QOL.