[Harumanbo Harucheonja] 'Incurable' Parkinson's Disease, Improves with Consistent Exercise

Parkinson's disease is one of the degenerative brain disorders that come with human aging, like Alzheimer's dementia. Walking difficulties and gait disturbances are representative symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Although various treatments have been researched and attempted, a fundamental cure has yet to be developed. However, consistent physical exercise therapy helps alleviate symptoms and the disease, enabling patients to walk well again.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Institute of Health announced on the 8th that a non-face-to-face Parkinson's disease exercise program developed in collaboration with the Korean Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society has been proven to help improve not only motor function symptoms but also non-motor functions such as anxiety and depression reduction.

Currently, there is no fundamental cure for Parkinson's disease. However, symptoms can be alleviated through medication, and appropriate exercise therapy can help slow disease progression. Exercise therapy, in particular, is difficult to show effects in the short term and must be continued over a long period. Additionally, various exercise programs tailored to the disease progression stage and patient preferences are necessary.

Accordingly, the non-face-to-face Parkinson's disease exercise program developed by the National Institute of Health and the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society was shown in clinical studies to alleviate motor dysfunction and reduce anxiety disorders and depression. Furthermore, over 80% of participants completed more than half of the exercise program, and no significant side effects were reported.

The exercise program developed through this research is provided as non-face-to-face video educational materials with explanations from exercise experts, making it easy for patients to follow. It can be accessed anytime and anywhere via PC and smartphones, and a separate application was also created for mobile users.

Lee Pil-hyu, president of the Korean Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society, said, “This exercise program is a useful Parkinson's disease management method that can be chosen in addition to existing treatments such as medication. It is especially meaningful that Parkinson's patients with movement restrictions can consistently receive exercise therapy at home through non-face-to-face methods.”