Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that often leads to motor impairments, including reduced hand dexterity. Exercise interventions have been explored as potential strategies to address these symptoms. In 2020, the study investigates the impact of Wuqinxi, et. al., a traditional Chinese exercise, on hand dexterity in individuals with mild-to-moderate PD.

Forty-six elderly participants with PD were randomly assigned to either the Wuqinxi group (n = 23) or the stretching group (n = 23). Both groups engaged in 60-minute exercise sessions, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Hand dexterity and motor function were assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Soda Pop Test (SPT). Additionally, the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire was employed to evaluate overall well-being. Assessments were conducted before and after a single exercise session and after the 12-week intervention.

A single session of either Wuqinxi or stretching exercise demonstrated a tendency to improve PPT scores in PD patients. Notably, the 12-week training interventions with Wuqinxi or stretching significantly reduced SPT time, indicating improved motor function, with no significant group difference. However, only the Wuqinxi group exhibited significant improvements in PPT scores for the dominant hand, both hands, and assembly performance after the 12-week training intervention. Alongside enhanced hand dexterity and motor function, the 12-week Wuqinxi training significantly improved emotional well-being in patients.

The findings suggest that Wuqinxi intervention is a safe and effective approach to enhancing hand dexterity in individuals with mild-to-moderate PD. Whether applied for a single session or a 12-week training period, Wuqinxi not only improved motor function but also contributed to an enhanced quality of life. These results underscore the potential of traditional Chinese exercises like Wuqinxi as valuable additions to therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s Disease. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying these observed benefits.

Reference: Wang, T., Xiao, G., Li, Z., Jie, K., Shen, M., Jiang, Y., & Zhuang, J. (2020). Wuqinxi exercise improves hand dexterity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2020.