Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of exercise regime combining Conduction exercise (CE) and self-acupressure (SA) in treating both motor symptoms (MS) and non-motor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Background: According to traditional Chinese Medicine, the pathology of PD is the combination of deficiency in organs and the presence of pathological products in sinews and meridians. CE and SA, exercises frequently practiced together by ancient Chinese, can restore harmony and balance in internal organs. They are proposed as potential alternative therapies for PD.

Methods: This study is an accessor- and data analyzer- blind add-on clinical study. Eligible patients were randomly allocated into treatment group, where they were taught to practice CE and SA, and control group with routine treatment only. Assessments were done at half-point and the end of the 8-week treatment period, to observe for changes. The primary outcome was Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39 items Chinese version, (C-PDQ-39), while the secondary outcome was a custom-designed-questionnaire focusing on NMS, combining the non-motor symptoms assessment scale (NMSS) and Deficiency of Spleen Qi scoring. The change of score method was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Of the 49 eligible patients, 25 were allocated to treatment group, and 24 to control group. There was no significant change in C-PDQ-39. There were significant improvements in three areas of CDQ: total score (p= 0.009), constipation (p= 0.023) and nocturia (p= 0.005). Three areas in C-PDQ-39, which were total score, mobility and communication, displayed improvement trends by the end of treatment period. No severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: CE and SA were effective in treating NMS. This study is able to show that CE and SA are feasible alternative therapies for PD, as they are effective in relieving NMS, have no side effects and with low economic cost. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IPR-17011987, date of registration: 14th July 2017)

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-effect-of-conduction-exercise-and-self-acupressure-in-treatment-of-parkinsons-disease-a-pilot-study/