Wuqinxi Exercise Improves Hand Dexterity in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Objective. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Wuqinxi after one session and 12-week intervention on hand dexterity in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods. Forty-six elderly participants with mild-to-moderate PD were randomly assigned to the groups trained with Wuqinxi (n = 23) or stretching (n = 23). All participants practiced 60 min session of either of these exercises, 2 sessions a week for 12 weeks in standing position. The score of Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and time for Soda Pop Test (SPT) were performed to assess hand dexterity and motor function along assessing the 39 items of Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire before and after 12-week interventions. In addition, the PPT scores were compared before vs. after one session of either of these two exercise modes. Results. Single session with either Wuqinxi or stretching exercise tended to improve PPT scores in PD patients. Furthermore, the improved SPT time was significant ( P < 0.01 ) following 12-week training interventions with Wuqinxi (−1.32 ± 0.38 sec) or stretching (−0.89 ± 0.16 sec), which showed no group difference ( P = 0.734 ). However, only the participants in Wuqinxi group significantly improved the PPT scores of the dominant hand (+0.61 ± 1.34), both hand (+1.83 ± 3.13) and assemble (+2.04 ± 3.44) performance after 12-week training intervention. In parallel with improved hand dexterity and motor function, 12-week Wuqinxi training also significantly improved the patient’s emotional wellbeing. Conclusion. The Wuqinxi intervention could be safely and effectively applied to improve hand dexterity following single-session exercise or 12-week training, which were accompanied by improved quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate PD.

The Rehabilitative Effect of Archery Exercise Intervention in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

“…Additionally, participants in the experimental group improved their mentation, behavior, and mood (as assessed using UPDRS I) after the archery intervention, suggesting that practicing the archery exercise may have the potential to induce joyful feelings or even self-fulfillment feelings in patients with PD who succeeded in shooting the target point repeatedly, which in turn decreased their depressive symptoms. It is worth noting that similar to other complementary approaches such as Wuqinxi exercise [ 32 , 33 ], yoga [ 34 ], and active theatre [ 36 , 37 ], the archery approach also helps to improve psychological well-being.…”

“…In addition to the usual exercise interventions described above, Qigong [ 29 , 30 ], Tai Chi [ 31 ], Wuqinxi [ 32 , 33 ], yoga [ 34 ], Irish set dancing [ 35 ], active theatre therapy [ 36 , 37 ], and archery [ 15 ] were proposed as complementary therapeutic methods for improving the motor function of patients with PD, and empirical evidence showed more or less favorable effects not only on motor function but also on psychological well-being (e.g., the reduction in depression, apathy, and anxiety). Although archery training was much less applied, it appeared to be a promising approach for improving upper extremity functions.…”

Long-Term Wu Qin Xi Exercise on Response Inhibition and Cortical Connectivity in Parkinson's Disease: Design and Implementation of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Given that there has not been any previous TMS study examining cortical connectivity in people with PD after a Wu Qin Xi exercise intervention, we estimated the required sample size based on the number of subjects included in a previous behavioral experimental study ( 29 ). A power analysis in G * power software indicated that 63 participants (21/group) will be required to demonstrate effects on primary and secondary outcomes with repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) at a 0.05 significance level and 80% power.…”

Impaired Hand Function and Its Association With Self-Perceived Hand Functional Ability and Quality of Life in Parkinson Disease

“…16 A 12wk Qigong exercise imitating five animal movements could improve the PPT scores of dominant hand, both hands, and assembly subtests as compared with stretching exercise in people with mild to moderate PD. After training, better manual dexterity was accompanied by significant improvement in activities of daily living (ADLs) and emotional well-being domain subscores of the Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) in both groups, 17 implying possible correlations between hand functions with HRQoL. Thus, further investigation is needed to establish the associations between manual dexterity and grip strength with self-perceived hand functions and HRQoL, while considering the MAH and hand dominance.…”