Authors: Müller T, Muhlack S
Background Following cued levodopa (LD) intake, endurance exercise showed a beneficial effect on scored motor performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in comparison with rest. This may result from an exercise induced increase in endogenous dopamine synthesis. As a result, beneficial effects on movement and reactivity may occur. Objectives To measure reactivity and motor performance in a repeated fashion with instrumental tasks after cued administration of soluble 200 mg of LD/50 mg of benserazide. Design PD patients consecutively performed paradigms, which assess reactivity and movement performance, after a standardised period of rest or of age-related, heart rate adapted endurance exercise on two consecutive days in a random order. Results Reactivity and execution of simple and complex motion series were significantly better following exercise than after rest. Discussion Endurance exercise has a beneficial effect on reactivity and movement behaviour in PD patients following cued application of LD probably due to an augmented synthesis and release of dopamine and other catecholamines and release in the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens and the basal ganglia. Small changes in catecholamine modulation of prefrontal cortex cells can have profound effects on the ability of the prefrontal cortex to guide behaviour. Previous exercise may also improve pedunculopontine nucleus function, which is involved in motor-related attention processes.
PMID: 20478845 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Can Regular Yoga “Cure” Diseases?
By Michael Hutch PhD
Various forms of yoga have been scientifically shown to handle and perhaps even “remedy” various persistent diseases. Listed below are various medical issues that have been proved scientifically to be improved by yoga.
Asthma: Yoga breathing exercises possibly could assist sufferers of mild asthma and may help decrease their use of low-dose drug inhalers in wheezing attacks. Researchers from the Respiratory Medicine Unit, City University, Nottingham, call for added studies of ways of improving breathing mastery which they say have been largely unheeded by Western medicine. while yoga practitioners have long believed in the benefits of pranayama breathing exercises for asthmatics, this has been difficult to examine formally. But, using a Pink City lung – a device that imposes slow breathing on the user and can mimic pranayama breathing exercises – it was possible to measure the effects of controlled breathing in a hospital test. Two simulated pranayama exercises were tested: slow deep breathing and breathing out for twice as long as breathing in. In asthma, the airways become restricted making breathing difficult. It is increasing in the UK, with more than three million children and adults affected, and are responsible for 2,000 deaths annually. The doctors used standard clinical tests to measure the volume of air patients were able to blow out in a second and to test the irritability of their airways. After yoga, their airways were two times less irritable.
Parkinson’s disease: Yoga has a key purpose in management of Parkinson’s as it has emerged as a helpful alternate therapy and an ideal mode of exercise for Parkinson’s patients because of its gradual movements. Following the steps mentioned below could successfully help individuals with Parkinson’s: 1. Concentrate on controlling your breath (Pranayama) as this brand of yoga helps in moments of panic – such as feet sticking to the flooring when walking. In this form of yoga, the mind is always watchful. 2. Few yoga exercises like back strengthening postures, lots of shoulder movements, breathing practices and some meditation positively helps. 3. One of the most useful forms of yoga used for Parkinson’s is Ashtanga Yoga. It works to strengthen the body and perform increases blood circulation. 4. day-to-day practice of yoga is all-important since Parkinson’s itself does not inevitably weaken the muscles. Weakening of muscles is ordinarily caused by lack of motion. Daily exercise should be encouraged, but not enough to generate tiredness. 5. Parkinson’s also result in the loss of motility of the facial muscles. Pranayama and supplementary yoga movements could aid in relaxing those muscles and bring a smile on the face of the patient.
Diabetes: Diabetes in a lot of forms affects up to 5percent of the world population with 12 million diabetics in Western Europe alone. Of the unique ways in which diabetes presents, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is probably the most usually encountered genetic condition. NIDDM or Type II diabetes is multifactorial, depending also on environmental factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyles and nutritional imbalances. One of the studies conducted to cure diabetes was the one set up by the Yoga Biomedical Trust, founded in 1982 by biochemist Dr Robin Monro, and an Indian yoga research foundation which discovered that practicing yoga for 30 minutes a day for one month helped reduce blood glucose levels in some diabetics.The yoga patients took part in one or two 90-minute sessions a week and were asked to practise at home. The classes included the particular yoga exercises of the spinal twist, the bow and abdominal breathing. At the conclusion of the 12 weeks blood sugar levels fell significantly in all patients in the group and were slightly raised in a control group which had not joined in the yoga sessions. Three yoga students managed to cutback their medication, including one man who had not altered his drug regimen for 20 years. It is not necessarily the exercise element of the yoga therapy package which is most significant, as there is not adequate physical exercise to account for the changes, but stress decrease has a lot to do with it. Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood. individuals also benefit from the stabilisation of their moods which yoga brings, an increased perception of well-being and a belief of being more in mastery, which may assist with their diet control and consequently their diabetes.
Various forms of yoga have been scientifically shown to handle and perhaps even “remedy” various persistent diseases. Listed below are various medical issues that have been proved scientifically to be improved by yoga.
Asthma: Yoga breathing exercises possibly could assist sufferers of mild asthma and may help decrease their use of low-dose drug inhalers in wheezing attacks. Researchers from the Respiratory Medicine Unit, City University, Nottingham, call for added studies of ways of improving breathing mastery which they say have been largely unheeded by Western medicine. while yoga practitioners have long believed in the benefits of pranayama breathing exercises for asthmatics, this has been difficult to examine formally. But, using a Pink City lung – a device that imposes slow breathing on the user and can mimic pranayama breathing exercises – it was possible to measure the effects of controlled breathing in a hospital test. Two simulated pranayama exercises were tested: slow deep breathing and breathing out for twice as long as breathing in. In asthma, the airways become restricted making breathing difficult. It is increasing in the UK, with more than three million children and adults affected, and are responsible for 2,000 deaths annually. The doctors used standard clinical tests to measure the volume of air patients were able to blow out in a second and to test the irritability of their airways. After yoga, their airways were two times less irritable.
Parkinson’s disease: Yoga has a key purpose in management of Parkinson’s as it has emerged as a helpful alternate therapy and an ideal mode of exercise for Parkinson’s patients because of its gradual movements. Following the steps mentioned below could successfully help individuals with Parkinson’s: 1. Concentrate on controlling your breath (Pranayama) as this brand of yoga helps in moments of panic – such as feet sticking to the flooring when walking. In this form of yoga, the mind is always watchful. 2. Few yoga exercises like back strengthening postures, lots of shoulder movements, breathing practices and some meditation positively helps. 3. One of the most useful forms of yoga used for Parkinson’s is Ashtanga Yoga. It works to strengthen the body and perform increases blood circulation. 4. day-to-day practice of yoga is all-important since Parkinson’s itself does not inevitably weaken the muscles. Weakening of muscles is ordinarily caused by lack of motion. Daily exercise should be encouraged, but not enough to generate tiredness. 5. Parkinson’s also result in the loss of motility of the facial muscles. Pranayama and supplementary yoga movements could aid in relaxing those muscles and bring a smile on the face of the patient.
Diabetes: Diabetes in a lot of forms affects up to 5percent of the world population with 12 million diabetics in Western Europe alone. Of the unique ways in which diabetes presents, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is probably the most usually encountered genetic condition. NIDDM or Type II diabetes is multifactorial, depending also on environmental factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyles and nutritional imbalances. One of the studies conducted to cure diabetes was the one set up by the Yoga Biomedical Trust, founded in 1982 by biochemist Dr Robin Monro, and an Indian yoga research foundation which discovered that practicing yoga for 30 minutes a day for one month helped reduce blood glucose levels in some diabetics.The yoga patients took part in one or two 90-minute sessions a week and were asked to practise at home. The classes included the particular yoga exercises of the spinal twist, the bow and abdominal breathing. At the conclusion of the 12 weeks blood sugar levels fell significantly in all patients in the group and were slightly raised in a control group which had not joined in the yoga sessions. Three yoga students managed to cutback their medication, including one man who had not altered his drug regimen for 20 years. It is not necessarily the exercise element of the yoga therapy package which is most significant, as there is not adequate physical exercise to account for the changes, but stress decrease has a lot to do with it. Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood. individuals also benefit from the stabilisation of their moods which yoga brings, an increased perception of well-being and a belief of being more in mastery, which may assist with their diet control and consequently their diabetes.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Computer use and physical exercise may reduce risk of memory loss
Crack open a book and hop on a stationary bike to ward off memory loss.
The combination of moderate physical exercise and computer use may help reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment later in life, Mayo Clinic researchers found.
Individually, the effects of moderate exercise and computer use prove to significantly reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment, according to the study.
But Yonas Geda, a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic, said, “The combined effects are better than the arithmetic sum of the individual effects.”
Mild cognitive impairment is the intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia, he said. He gave the example of people losing their keys on occasion, which would be considered a normal occurrence. Forgetting about a flight or another important event, however, may be signs of mild cognitive impairment and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, he said.
Normal cognitive aging involves the brain function to remain intact, while a decrease in processing speed in the brain occurs, said Dr. Diana Kerwin in the Division of Geriatrics at Northwestern University. In the absence of cognitive diseases, it is expected that people take longer to do their taxes or balance their checkbooks, she said.
People in the study who engaged in any amount of moderate exercise were 36 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment than people who did not exercise.
Those who participated in any amount of computer use were 44 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment than people who did not use the computer.
The joint effect of moderate exercise and computer use causes “synergistic interaction,” explains Geda, which is greater than if each exercise were performed independently.
“Exercise can help delay or prevent the onset of cognitive decline,” said Kerwin, who also is affiliated with the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disorder Center in the Neurobehavioral Clinic at Northwestern University. Exercise can also maintain healthy blood vessels and glucose levels and lower blood pressure, she said.
The 926 participants, ages 70 to 90, were evaluated in a case-control study, which meant a cause-and-effect relationship could not be drawn from the data, Geda said.
Since there is not a cause-and-effect relationship, there is a possibility that people who engage in physical and mental exercise are less likely to show memory loss or that a person with memory loss is less likely to perform mental and physical activities.
“We know as far as successful aging, one of the best activities is to remain engaged,” Kerwin said, whether it be social, cognitive, physical exercise, or a combination.
Geda recommended craft activities, such as knitting and quilting, social activities and any other moderate physical exercise to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment.
Kerwin suggested that people participate in activities that are cognitively challenging, but also activities that they are interested in. “If people enjoy the activity, it increases the likelihood that they’ll do it,” she said.
Barbara Wijnicki, a 73-year-old Chicago resident, keeps active by taking yoga and dance classes, walking regularly and reading books.
“I always have a book to read and I think it may be helping me with my mental capactity,” she said. “I believe that just being active and being with other people is good for the brain and the mental part.”
The combination of moderate physical exercise and computer use may help reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment later in life, Mayo Clinic researchers found.
Individually, the effects of moderate exercise and computer use prove to significantly reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment, according to the study.
But Yonas Geda, a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic, said, “The combined effects are better than the arithmetic sum of the individual effects.”
Mild cognitive impairment is the intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia, he said. He gave the example of people losing their keys on occasion, which would be considered a normal occurrence. Forgetting about a flight or another important event, however, may be signs of mild cognitive impairment and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, he said.
Normal cognitive aging involves the brain function to remain intact, while a decrease in processing speed in the brain occurs, said Dr. Diana Kerwin in the Division of Geriatrics at Northwestern University. In the absence of cognitive diseases, it is expected that people take longer to do their taxes or balance their checkbooks, she said.
People in the study who engaged in any amount of moderate exercise were 36 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment than people who did not exercise.
Those who participated in any amount of computer use were 44 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment than people who did not use the computer.
The joint effect of moderate exercise and computer use causes “synergistic interaction,” explains Geda, which is greater than if each exercise were performed independently.
“Exercise can help delay or prevent the onset of cognitive decline,” said Kerwin, who also is affiliated with the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disorder Center in the Neurobehavioral Clinic at Northwestern University. Exercise can also maintain healthy blood vessels and glucose levels and lower blood pressure, she said.
The 926 participants, ages 70 to 90, were evaluated in a case-control study, which meant a cause-and-effect relationship could not be drawn from the data, Geda said.
Since there is not a cause-and-effect relationship, there is a possibility that people who engage in physical and mental exercise are less likely to show memory loss or that a person with memory loss is less likely to perform mental and physical activities.
“We know as far as successful aging, one of the best activities is to remain engaged,” Kerwin said, whether it be social, cognitive, physical exercise, or a combination.
Geda recommended craft activities, such as knitting and quilting, social activities and any other moderate physical exercise to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment.
Kerwin suggested that people participate in activities that are cognitively challenging, but also activities that they are interested in. “If people enjoy the activity, it increases the likelihood that they’ll do it,” she said.
Barbara Wijnicki, a 73-year-old Chicago resident, keeps active by taking yoga and dance classes, walking regularly and reading books.
“I always have a book to read and I think it may be helping me with my mental capactity,” she said. “I believe that just being active and being with other people is good for the brain and the mental part.”
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Researchers Say Exercises Can Reduce Parkinson’s Effects
Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh and University of Southern California discovered that exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease (known as “PD”).
Sat Feb 06 2010] The studies suggest that regular physical activity can help to reduce damage to neurons in the brain that causes Parkinson’s disease.
“Parkinson’s disease is an illness that affects muscle movement,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of the new children’s book Who Is Pee Dee? “Anything that can help to maintain normal muscle tone and flexibility is extremely important.”
Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with PD when she was just thirty-four. She decided to write her book to help her children understand the disease. The story follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s chronic illness.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly 1.5 million Americans; approximately 50,000 are diagnosed with the disease every year.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exercise has important benefits for everyone regardless of age or physical condition... When your condition threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving... To retain your mobility and function, use it or lose it.”
Exercises cannot stop Parkinson’s disease progression, but based on the study, regular physical activity can help PD patients to:
• minimize further cell damage.
• decrease loss of cognitive skills.
• increase muscle control and build muscle strength.
• improve balance and coordination.
• reduce depression.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Parkinson’s disease,” says Ms. Jenkins. “I believe that exercise can help to delay the progression of Parkinson’s and improve emotional well-being, which is very important for PD patients.”
Kay Mixson Jenkins is the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.
Sat Feb 06 2010] The studies suggest that regular physical activity can help to reduce damage to neurons in the brain that causes Parkinson’s disease.
“Parkinson’s disease is an illness that affects muscle movement,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of the new children’s book Who Is Pee Dee? “Anything that can help to maintain normal muscle tone and flexibility is extremely important.”
Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with PD when she was just thirty-four. She decided to write her book to help her children understand the disease. The story follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s chronic illness.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly 1.5 million Americans; approximately 50,000 are diagnosed with the disease every year.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exercise has important benefits for everyone regardless of age or physical condition... When your condition threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving... To retain your mobility and function, use it or lose it.”
Exercises cannot stop Parkinson’s disease progression, but based on the study, regular physical activity can help PD patients to:
• minimize further cell damage.
• decrease loss of cognitive skills.
• increase muscle control and build muscle strength.
• improve balance and coordination.
• reduce depression.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Parkinson’s disease,” says Ms. Jenkins. “I believe that exercise can help to delay the progression of Parkinson’s and improve emotional well-being, which is very important for PD patients.”
Kay Mixson Jenkins is the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Exercise Effect on Parkinson’s Studied
Researchers at the new Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix launched a study this month designed to determine the physical and neurological impact of simple exercise on Parkinson’s disease patients age 50 to 70.
During the 12-week trial, participants follow a structured exercise program called pole-striding (walking with ski-like poles) three days a week for 45 minutes.
They are monitored and coached by staff members from the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. They wear heart rate monitors and pedometers to measure the intensity of the training.
Participants’ brains are monitored to determine if increased physical activity helps protect the neurons in the brain from the disease.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
During the 12-week trial, participants follow a structured exercise program called pole-striding (walking with ski-like poles) three days a week for 45 minutes.
They are monitored and coached by staff members from the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. They wear heart rate monitors and pedometers to measure the intensity of the training.
Participants’ brains are monitored to determine if increased physical activity helps protect the neurons in the brain from the disease.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Monday, January 11, 2010
Parkinsons Disease Advice On Mobility Products For Parkinsons Disease Patients.
Parkinsons disease is a difficult and frustrating illness affecting one in 500 people in the UK. There are a wealth of services, advice and products on hand that can help with symptoms and side effects associated with Parkinsons disease, making life easier for both careers and patients.
Parkinsons disease or PD as it can often be called is a movement disorder that persists over a long period of time and progressively gets worse. This degenerative disorder attacks the central nervous system resulting in impaired motor skills that cause tremors, muscle rigidity, and slowing or loss of physical movement.
Exercise and mobility are the best things you can do/ or encourage to restore some independence against Parkinsons negative effects. Medical experts view exercise with the same level of importance as medication when it comes to the management of Parkinsons disease. Exercise helps by keeping muscles strong and improving flexibility and mobility, as well as recovering balance and preventing joint stiffening. For example investing in a Pedal Exerciser can help re-establish muscle strength in the lower body and is easy to use in the home.
Getting out and about is important, as it a great source of both physical and mental activity improving the quality of life for the Parkinsons patient. Mobility Aids such as walking sticks are designed to provide support for those who have difficulty keeping their balance. A Parkinson's patient tends to stoop forward and shuffle, so the Quad Cane would be a recommended strong support for the patient. However there is the Walking Stick Seat that as implied in its name, has a seat for when the user feels fatigued and can be easily folded for storage or travel.
Freezing, getting locked in one position is an immobilizing symptom of Parkinsons that prevents the patient from walking. The Parkinsons sufferer cannot seem to focus on taking another step however there is a mobility aid on the market that combats this problem. This mobility product is a laser that come attached to walking stick, beaming a line onto the ground encouraging the user to step over it. To purchase this specialist item, or to request further details please email mail@collinscare.co.uk, or call 01603 483883.
Hand tremors can be an embarrassing symptom of Parkinsons, but one that can often be compensated for by using mobility utensils. For example the Sure Grip Cup has deep groves to resist slippage and the Good Grips Weighted Cutlery has added weight to engage more muscle control. These products and many more allow the Parkinson's patient to remain more independent, which can help with the side effect of depression that can be related to this disease.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Parkinsons disease or PD as it can often be called is a movement disorder that persists over a long period of time and progressively gets worse. This degenerative disorder attacks the central nervous system resulting in impaired motor skills that cause tremors, muscle rigidity, and slowing or loss of physical movement.
Exercise and mobility are the best things you can do/ or encourage to restore some independence against Parkinsons negative effects. Medical experts view exercise with the same level of importance as medication when it comes to the management of Parkinsons disease. Exercise helps by keeping muscles strong and improving flexibility and mobility, as well as recovering balance and preventing joint stiffening. For example investing in a Pedal Exerciser can help re-establish muscle strength in the lower body and is easy to use in the home.
Getting out and about is important, as it a great source of both physical and mental activity improving the quality of life for the Parkinsons patient. Mobility Aids such as walking sticks are designed to provide support for those who have difficulty keeping their balance. A Parkinson's patient tends to stoop forward and shuffle, so the Quad Cane would be a recommended strong support for the patient. However there is the Walking Stick Seat that as implied in its name, has a seat for when the user feels fatigued and can be easily folded for storage or travel.
Freezing, getting locked in one position is an immobilizing symptom of Parkinsons that prevents the patient from walking. The Parkinsons sufferer cannot seem to focus on taking another step however there is a mobility aid on the market that combats this problem. This mobility product is a laser that come attached to walking stick, beaming a line onto the ground encouraging the user to step over it. To purchase this specialist item, or to request further details please email mail@collinscare.co.uk, or call 01603 483883.
Hand tremors can be an embarrassing symptom of Parkinsons, but one that can often be compensated for by using mobility utensils. For example the Sure Grip Cup has deep groves to resist slippage and the Good Grips Weighted Cutlery has added weight to engage more muscle control. These products and many more allow the Parkinson's patient to remain more independent, which can help with the side effect of depression that can be related to this disease.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Monday, January 4, 2010
TAI CHI AND PARKINSONS?
Tai Chi movement’s gentle balance enhancing motions can obviously help the Parkinson’s patient by helping to reduce the gradual loss of balance that Parkinson’s sufferers often experience. However, there may be much more it offers. For example, Tai Chi movements rotate the human body in about 95% of the ways the body can move, when a long form is practiced. This is far beyond what other exercise offers, and in fact the closest would be several swimming strokes, which together would only rotate the body in about 65% of the ways it can move. For Parkinson’s sufferers, or anyone for that matter, this would indicate that by “using” 95% of the body’s possible motion several times a week, the possibility of “losing” the ability to do so diminishes accordingly. This isn’t rocket science, but simple common sense.
Yet, perhaps Parkinson’s patients have even more to gain from Tai Chi. A few years ago I taught several classes at local medical centers. I was continually frustrated because although I’d seen emerging reports that Tai Chi was beneficial to people with Parkinson’s Disease, or arthritis, or chronic hypertension, etc., even though the departments that specialized in those conditions were often just down the hall from my Tai Chi class . . . they might as well have been a million miles away. Because the physicians who ran those departments were either ignorant of or unwilling to refer their patients to the possibilities that Tai Chi offered their lives.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
Yet, perhaps Parkinson’s patients have even more to gain from Tai Chi. A few years ago I taught several classes at local medical centers. I was continually frustrated because although I’d seen emerging reports that Tai Chi was beneficial to people with Parkinson’s Disease, or arthritis, or chronic hypertension, etc., even though the departments that specialized in those conditions were often just down the hall from my Tai Chi class . . . they might as well have been a million miles away. Because the physicians who ran those departments were either ignorant of or unwilling to refer their patients to the possibilities that Tai Chi offered their lives.
For more information go to www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
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