Improving motor function and quality of life in early-stage Parkinson's Disease:

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to motor impairment, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Although pharmacologic therapy remains central to disease management, evidence supports structured physical exercise as an effective non-pharmacologic intervention, particularly in the early stages of the disease (Langeskov-Christensen et al., 2024). Despite this evidence, structured exercise programs are not consistently integrated into early PD care, which may contribute to preventable declines in motor function and quality of life.

This research project addressed the following research question: In adults with early-stage Parkinson’s Disease, how does participation in a structured physical exercise program compared with no structured exercise program affect motor function and quality of life?

The theoretical framework guiding this project was the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice. This project utilized a mixed methods pretest–posttest design to evaluate baseline and post-intervention outcomes following participation in a 12-week structured exercise program. Motor function was measured using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale–Part III (UPDRS-III), mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and quality of life was evaluated using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39).

Results demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in motor function for all participants, with reductions in UPDRS-III scores following the intervention. Improvements were also observed in mobility and quality of life measures. High attendance and satisfaction rates supported the feasibility and acceptability of the program.

The nursing implications of this project include the importance of early, proactive integration of structured exercise into Parkinson’s Disease management. Nurses play a key role in patient education, referral, and advocacy for evidence-based exercise interventions. Limitations of the study include a small sample size and lack of a control group. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and sustainability of structured exercise programs in diverse care settings.