Objective: To evaluate the effects of boxing-based exercise interventions as an adjunct therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is characterized by progressive motor and non-motor impairment. Adjunct exercise-based interventions are increasingly used alongside pharmacologic treatment for symptom improvement. Non-contact boxing programs have emerged as a popular community-based rehabilitation strategy for individuals with PD.

Method: A literature search of the PubMed database using the search terms “Parkinson disease” AND (“boxing” OR “boxing exercise” OR “combat sport”) yielded 42 articles. Studies unrelated to exercise interventions in PD, case reports, meta-analyses, and articles examining boxing as a risk factor for PD were excluded. After applying exclusion criteria, 22 studies, representing a total of 2,489 participants, were included in the final review. Extracted data included study design, sample size, intervention characteristics, and motor and non-motor outcomes.

Results: Across the 22 studies, improvements in motor or functional outcomes were reported in 17/22 studies (77%), including improvements in gait, balance, and functional mobility. 11/22 studies (50%) reported improvements in balance-specific measures such as Timed Up and Go or Mini-BEST tests. 9/22 studies (41%) reported improvements in motor severity scores such as the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Improvements in psychosocial outcomes, including quality of life, mood, or social engagement, were reported in 10/22 studies (45%). Adherence to boxing programs was consistently high across studies, with minimal adverse events reported.

Conclusion: Boxing-based exercise interventions demonstrate potential benefits for motor function, balance, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with PD. These programs represent a promising community-based adjunct therapy, though heterogeneity in study design and outcomes highlights the need for larger randomized controlled trials.

References: Bhidayasiri R, et al. Rock Steady Boxing and patient-reported outcomes in Parkinson disease participants. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34498995/

Combs SA, Diehl MD, Chrzastowski C, et al. Community-based group exercise for persons with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial comparing boxing training with traditional exercise. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013;32(3):611–621. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23422464/

Dibble LE, et al. Comparison of boxing versus sensory exercise training for motor symptoms in Parkinson disease. Phys Ther. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34121511/

Allen NE, et al. Falls and functional outcomes associated with boxing training in Parkinson disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34429075/

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/boxing-based-exercise-programs-for-parkinsons-disease-a-review-of-motor-and-quality-of-life-outcomes/