Objective: The study aimed to examine the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on neurological, psychological and biomechanical aspects of psychomotor behaviors in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.

Background: Previous studies, suggest that the HIIT with a standard cycle ergometer, has potential to induce beneficial neuroplastic changes in central nervous system of trained PD patients. However, establishing the benefit of HIIT on PD related neurological (motor and non-motor symptoms), psychological (executive function) and biomechanical (upper extremity bimanual dexterity) aspects of psychomotor behaviors in patients with PD was not done. This knowledge is needed to improve rehabilitation programs.

Methods: Two groups of mild-moderate individuals with PD were tested. The trained group (PD-TR, n=10; 72±10 yrs, body mass 69±9 kg, height 162±8 cm, illness-duration 9±5 yrs) underwent 8-weeks of HIIT. The control group (PD-CO, n=10; 74±9 yrs, body mass 66±7 kg, height 160±9 cm, illness-duration 8±4 yrs) was not engaged in HIIT, but kept its usual activity . Both groups were tested before 8-weeks HIIT (PRE) and after that time period (POST). All patients were tested: (i) neurologically, based on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating scale and Schwab and England Daily Living Activity Scale; (ii) psychologically, with the Trail Making Test (TMT) and Stroop Test (ST) to evaluate executive function and (iii) biomechanically to measure bimanual dexterity. 

Results: The PD-TR group improved in: (i) neurological state, as reflected in an amelioration of affected upper-extremity bradykinesia, daily life manual functions, mood and intellectual functions, (ii) psychological assessment of executive function, as reflected by decreased performance time on part II of the ST and a trend of decreased time on the TMT, and (iii) biomechanical measures of bimanual dexterity, as reflected by decreased movement time and increased grip force development in the manipulating hand, and decreased time delay between the onset of grip force development in the manipulating and stabilizing hands. There was no difference between the PRE and POST sessions in any parameter in the PD-CO group.

Conclusions: Following participation in 8-weeks of HIIT individuals with PD improved in psychomotor behaviors reflected in neurological, biomechanical and partly in psychological assessments.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/high-intensity-interval-training-improves-psychomotor-function-in-individuals-with-parkinsons-disease/