Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson’... - Cure Parkinson's

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Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial - This Will Surprise You

Bolt_Upright profile image
25 Replies

(Sensory exercise is low intensity and requires participants to complete exercise with their eyes closed)

EDIT 3/30: Full disclosure, one of the doctors running this (and all of these Sensory Exercise) study(s), Dr Quincy Almeida, is the creator of Sensory Exercise and offers it to clients carespace.health/pd-safex/ BUT I SHOULD ADD! One of the other people on this study, Kishoree Sangarapillai, is a certified RSB instructor. Just note that all of the Sensory Exercise research is coming from one place.

My takeaway from this paper is: Boxing can't lay a glove on Sensory Exercise for improving PD symptoms.

My challenge is finding guidance on Sensory Exercise. It is called SAFEx, Sensory Attention Focused Exercise, PDSAFEx. So far I can't find a video or a book or a guide on how it is done. I found some places that offer the training. I will keep digging.

Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial 2021 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

(I have trimmed these results comments)

"Immediately after intervention, the sensory exercise group indicated improvements to disease severity in comparison to the boxing group. This was further supported by gait parameters (improved stride length and velocity) linked to disease severity. These findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting that sensory exercise can improve the motor symptoms of PD.18-20 In comparison, immediately after the intervention, boxing did not improve disease severity. This is in line with a previous study that assessed disease severity and boxing, where researchers indicated motor scores fluctuated after boxing, where 2 of the 6 participants experienced improvements to symptoms.3 Of the gait parameters assessed, a slight increase in stride length was seen. This is contrary to a previous study that had reported improvements to gait velocity post-boxing."

"Once immediate effects were established, this study aimed to assess whether these effects wore off. At the end of the washout period, in comparison to the boxing group, the sensory group maintained improved levels of disease severity. Importantly, improvement in UPDRS-III scores from pre- to washout assessment for the sensory group is double the change needed to reach minimal clinical importance (greater than a 5-point change).35,36 This is line with previous research utilizing similar exercise protocols involving slow and controlled moment (external focused exercise,17 blindfolded balance training,37 balance training HIBalance,38 progressive modular rebalancing,39 and Tai Chi exercises40). The lasting improvements to disease severity post-sensory may have been due to the improved functioning of the remaining dopaminergic neurons as a result of the increased sensory stimulation passing through the basal ganglia during exercise.11,14,29,34,41,42 In comparison to sensory exercise, boxing did not have a lasting effect on disease severity. This is contrary to recent rehabilitation literature that have stated high-intensity exercise (e.g., treadmill training,43 tandem cycling,44 multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatments,45 and aerobic exercise46) can greatly improve disease severity as well as potentially have a neuroprotective effect."

"Improvements to disease severity were also seen in gait parameters. Specifically, stride length and stride velocity remained increased (improved) at washout for the sensory group. This may be because sensory exercise has the ability to improve underlying symptoms such as rigidity and postural instability.15 Previous studies have noted that rigidity and postural instability may reduce forward propulsion and thereby negatively affect stride length and stride velocity.23,50-53 As such, sustained improvements to rigidity and postural instability due to sensory exercise may then translate to improvements in gait parameters.54,55 In comparison, stride length and stride velocity did not change at washout for the boxing group. This may be because boxing did not influence the underlying neurological disease, and as such, participants continued to have impaired gait."

"Despite these differing results at washout, both boxing and sensory exercise improved self-perceived QOL, which was maintained throughout the duration of the study. The maintenance of the improved self-perceived QOL despite exercise intervention was to be expected as participation in any exercise is likely to lead to an improved perception of QOL.56-58While improvements to QOL reflect disease severity improvement seen in sensory exercise, QOL improvements were also maintained throughout boxing despite lack of improvement to disease severity."

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Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright
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25 Replies
gaga1958 profile image
gaga1958

your right, hard to get information about this program.

guy who developed: carespace.health/team/quinc...

Great find! You've got me looking but so far all I have is the description below from a proposed study of sensory exercise vs VR training. I'm interested in the role of proprioception because I know I have lost some in my left arm (I can't identify full elbow extension without looking). I also have a theory that loss of proprioception and subsequent malalignment in the shoulder joint may be involved in the onset of shoulder pain reported by many pre diagnosis. Just spitballing as you would say Bolt 🙃.

Text
LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50

Indeed - interesting. Maybe contact Quincy Almeida directly???

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to LindaP50

Great minds think alike! I e-mailed him last night. In the mean time I will try blindfolded imitation Tai Chi.

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply to Bolt_Upright

😀 - let's hope he responds!

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh in reply to Bolt_Upright

I'm taking Tai Chi and don't see how it could be done blindfolded.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply to kaypeeoh

First you have to memorize the movement sequences and associated breathing patterns, then perform them with eyes closed or blindfolded to increase sensory attention.

Please keep in mind to ensure that sufficient space is available.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to JayPwP

I'm thinking you could also record verbal instructions and play them while doing the exercises.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP

This may also explain the benefits of Tai Chi for PD, as it combines meditation, breathing and movement all tied together by conscious elevated sensory attention.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to JayPwP

Yes. Just add a blindfold (and be safe).

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply to Bolt_Upright

Safe for my hubby is chair Tai Chi and I've noticed he has his eyes closed!

MBAnderson profile image
MBAnderson

good one

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright

EDIT 3/30: Full disclosure, one of the doctors running this (and all of these Sensory Exercise) study(s), Dr Quincy Almeida, is the creator of Sensory Exercise and offers it to clients carespace.health/pd-safex/ BUT I SHOULD ADD! One of the other people on this study, Kishoree Sangarapillai, is a certified RSB instructor. Just note that all of the Sensory Exercise research is coming from one place.

JayPwP profile image
JayPwP in reply to Bolt_Upright

As long as it adds value, I don't mind if it comes from anywhere.

But point taken...

rebtar profile image
rebtar

sensory exercise like tai chi and qigong reduce stress and increase parasympathetic activity. That may be part of the benefit. Neuroplastity is enhanced by relaxation, so it makes sense that this could work. Probably doesn’t require that specific program…looks like it’s TM so probably pricey.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to rebtar

Now I wonder how much of a difference it makes to have the eyes closed. They need a new trial eyes closed vs eyes open.

rebtar profile image
rebtar in reply to Bolt_Upright

when I did a few sessions of physical therapy, the PT had me do some exercises eyes closed. Definitely increases need for proprioception.

Sydney75 profile image
Sydney75

Good information! I wonder though how aerobic (never tried) boxing is as that also is benefical to brain, increasing BDNF factors.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to Sydney75

I think what the boxing is, is HIT: High Intensity Training. Short burst of high energy.

NextStage profile image
NextStage

Sounds similar to Feldenkrais. Also, I once read a book about the MELT method and using a foam roller. You were supposed to lie on your back with your eyes closed and detect tight spots in your body. Then you would roll out that part of your body on one side, then again lay on your back to feel the difference between the two sides. Finally, you would roll out your second side and again lay on your back. The author said a student once came to her and said that it had stopped working. It turned out that in order to speed things up the student had stopped laying on their back to assess their body. The time spent paying attention to little signals from your body was the key to change.

Smittybear7 profile image
Smittybear7

Interesting! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to additional information.

Nicopwp profile image
Nicopwp

From ChatGPT

Sensory exercises for Parkinson's Disease (PD) are a type of physical therapy that aims to improve sensory perception, motor coordination, and balance in people with PD. These exercises involve using sensory input to increase awareness of body movement, posture, and spatial orientation. Here are some examples of sensory exercises for PD:

Imagery exercises: These exercises involve visualizing movements and actions without physically performing them. For example, you can imagine yourself walking along a tightrope or performing a dance routine.

Balance exercises: These exercises involve standing on one leg or performing simple movements while standing on a balance board or other unstable surface. This can help improve balance and stability.

Proprioceptive exercises: These exercises involve using your sense of touch and pressure to improve movement and posture. For example, you can practice holding a soft ball or cushion between your knees while standing or walking.

Vestibular exercises: These exercises involve using head movements to stimulate the inner ear and improve balance and spatial orientation. For example, you can practice turning your head from side to side while standing or sitting.

To find out how to do sensory exercises for PD, you can consult a physical therapist or occupational therapist who specializes in PD. They can provide you with specific exercises and guidance on how to perform them safely and effectively. Additionally, there are many online resources and exercise programs available that offer sensory exercises for PD. The Parkinson's Foundation, for example, provides information and resources on exercise programs specifically designed for people with PD.

Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright in reply to Nicopwp

Well done! I guess I am okay with our future AI overlords.

Nicopwp profile image
Nicopwp in reply to Bolt_Upright

AI may be our(pwp) savior.

LagLag37 profile image
LagLag37

Don’t give up on boxing entirely. After 17 years of Rock Steady, I know it helps in delaying PD, 🥊

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