COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- February 25, 2008 -- Most medical studies look at the effects drugs have on various diseases. But doctors in Maryland want to see if good old sweat and hard work can make a difference for patients with Parkinson’s.
Sixty-one-year-old John Kendell isn’t an athlete. But for the last two months, he’s been hitting the gym regularly. At first, his Parkinson’s made it tough.
“I was stiff and my hand didn’t move along my side,” Kendall said.
As time went on, working out became easier for him.
"At this slower speed we’re going now, I can stand and think about moving my hand," Kendall says.
Stroke patient Alan Sidlowski also has trouble with simple movements.
"I had very limited mobility in my hand and my leg," Sidlowski said.
After working out at the gym regularly for seven months, Sidlowski has seen significant results.
"I’ve improved tremendously," Sidlowski says.
These men are part of a study aimed at finding out if exercise can do what medication often can’t for patients with neurological conditions like Parkinson's.
"Medications have been somewhat disappointing to prevent disability related to walking and balance," said Lisa Shulman, M.D., an associate professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Researchers say strength exercises, aerobic activity or gait practice may actually be able to retrain the brain.
"The potential for exercise to cause some rewiring and remodeling would be effective in either case," Dr. Shulman says.
Physical and emotional improvements for each of 70 patients will be monitored for three months.
"Frankly, if it showed improvement in those areas alone, that would be a "big advance," Dr. Shulman says.
Official results are two years away, but so far the outcome has been positive.
"I’m stronger on my feet. I have more balance," Sidlowski says.
Their progress is a good sign.