The Effect of Exercise on Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease with Deep Brain Stimulation

Aerobic exercise may help improve non-motor symptoms like depression, pain, and sleep problems in people with Parkinson’s disease who have undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS), according to a small study. DBS, a surgical treatment using electrical stimulation to manage motor symptoms, is less effective for non-motor symptoms such as anxiety and gastrointestinal issues. The study involved nine participants with DBS, who were instructed to engage in aerobic exercise—any activity that raised their heart rate—for 30 minutes, three times weekly, over 12 weeks. Eight participants completed the trial, with about half adhering to the exercise regimen. Significant improvements were observed in non-motor symptoms, particularly in areas like cognition, sleep, pain, and urinary function. The findings suggest that aerobic exercise could be a valuable strategy to address non-motor symptoms in DBS patients, although the researchers emphasized the need for further studies, as most prior research excludes people with DBS.