Category: Parkinson's Disease (Other)
Objective: Characterize physical activity participation and rehabilitation referral patterns among patients with parkinsonism.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other parkinsonisms are frequently associated with significant impairment in patients’ functionality, leading to progressive loss of autonomy and overall reduced quality of life. While no pharmacological intervention has been proven to slow disease progression down, evidence suggests that exercise may have disease-modifying effects.
Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted based on analysis of electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with parkinsonism in an outpatient hospital clinic. Demographic data, functional autonomy in activities of daily life, referral to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consultation and self-reported physical exercise or physical therapy participation were collected. Results follow a descriptive analysis of sample characteristics.
Results: Data from 203 patients with Parkinson’s disease or another form of parkinsonism were analyzed; 51.3% were female. The majority (n = 127; 62.3%) were still autonomous, although with variable disease stages and motor symptom severity. Regardless of that, only 26 (12.8%) of patients actively reported exercising, whether that involved daily walks, gymnastics or aquatic exercise. Thirty-six patients (17.7%) were undergoing phyiscal therapy, 7 (3.4%) speech therapy and one was enrolled in occupational therapy at the time of their last movement disorders consultation. Additionally, 11 patients were referred to their family physician to initiate physical therapy and 21 were referred to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consultation.
Conclusion: This study highlights an important gap between evidence-based recommendations and the reality of clinical practice in the management of patients with parkinsonism. Despite the evidence supporting the benefits of physical exercise, clinicians should routinely discuss physical exercise with patients at every visit, emphasizing its potential benefits in motor and non-motor symptoms.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
J. Pona-Ferreira, M. Perdicoúlis, N. Ribeiro, M. Vargas, R. Raimundo, AG. Velon. Bridging the Gap: Physical Activity and Rehabilitation Patterns in Patients with Parkinsonism [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/bridging-the-gap-physical-activity-and-rehabilitation-patterns-in-patients-with-parkinsonism/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/bridging-the-gap-physical-activity-and-rehabilitation-patterns-in-patients-with-parkinsonism/