title: Feldenkrais method-based exercise improves quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a controlled, randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Longevity results in changes to patterns of health, with an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) is described as a progressive neurodegenerative disease related to age that influences quality of life (QoL) and leads to depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study intended to assess changes in QoL and depression in older adults with PD through use of Feldenkrais method-based exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a controlled, blinded, and randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study occurred at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Sergipe in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 30 patients, aged between 50 and 70 y, with idiopathic PD, who signed an informed consent form and were randomly assigned to 2 groups: treatment and control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatment group underwent 50 sessions of an exercise program based on the Feldenkrais method. The control group received educational lectures during this period. The treatment group's 50 sessions, given 2 ×/wk on alternate days and lasting 60 min, were conducted in an appropriate room at the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two surveys, the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life (PDQL) questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), were administered before and after the sessions for both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the exercises based on the Feldenkrais method, the treated group showed improvement in QoL scores (P = .004) as well as a reduction in the level of depression (P = .05) compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in the current study indicate that it is likely that the practice of a program based on the Feldenkrais method can contribute greatly to the QoL of patients with PD, suggesting the importance of interventions that promote wellness for this population.
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Machado
authors.forename: Fernanda M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Fabiane A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Mayara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Thainá
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Josimari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melo DeSantana
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*