Does Resistance Training Improve the Quality of Life of People With Parkinson's Disease? Evidence and Recommendations for Clinical Application Through a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition with motor and non-motor symptoms that negatively affect well-being and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to analyze the effects of resistance training on quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease and to summarize recommendations for clinical application.

DATA SOURCES: Following PRISMA recommendations, searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE (with ClinicalTrials.gov), PEDro, CINAHL, and Scopus.

STUDY SELECTION: RCTs were included that compared the effects of resistance training with other therapeutic modalities or a control group on the quality of life in people with Parkinson's.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed in RevMan. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, the protocol reporting completeness was evaluated using CERT and certainty of the evidence was rated using GRADE.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included, featuring highly heterogeneous protocols. Resistance training was superior to control (SMD -0.81; CI -1.45 to -0.18; I2 88%; moderate certainty of the evidence), although no significant difference was found compared to other therapeutic modalities (SMD -0.02; CI -0.44 to 0.41; low certainty of the evidence). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested a trend toward more favorable results in trials lasting longer than 12 weeks, involving patients with mild-to-moderate disease severity (H&Y ≤ 3), and reporting high protocol completeness (CERT > 11). Most of the studies were classified as having a low risk of bias and presented a moderate description of the protocols in the CERT.

LIMITATIONS: The included studies exhibited high heterogeneity and required data imputation for missing standard deviations. Additionally, exploratory subgroup analyses were underpowered due to the limited number of trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that resistance training may improve quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Exploratory subgroup analyses tentatively suggest potential trends favoring mild-to-moderate stages and intervention exceeding 12 weeks, while being a safe practice. However, high heterogeneity limits the certainty of the evidence. Future studies should prioritize standardized reporting (CERT) to ensure intervention reproducibility.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO record (CRD42024588780).