Mapping motor exercise interventions in Parkinson's disease: a scoping review of intervention types, outcomes, adherence, and dropout
This scoping review aimed to map current evidence on exercise interventions for people with Parkinson's disease (PD), describing the most frequently investigated intervention types and synthesizing evidence on motor and
A recent scoping review sought to map the existing evidence regarding exercise interventions for individuals living with Parkinson's disease. In the context of metabolic and neurological research, understanding how different physical activities influence motor function and quality of life is essential for developing targeted rehabilitation protocols. The study provides a comprehensive overview of intervention types, adherence patterns, and dropout rates across various clinical settings.
The authors conducted this review in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines using an umbrella evidence-mapping approach. A systematic search was performed across major databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The search covered studies published between January 2010 and February 2026. Eligible sources included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, network meta-analyses, and a limited number of primary studies to complement areas where synthesized evidence was limited.
Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across intervention characteristics, exercise dose, and outcome measures. Overall, different exercise modalities were associated with improvements in specific motor and non-motor outcomes, although the evidence varied among the included evidence syntheses. Adherence was generally higher in supervised and socially engaging interventions, whereas dropout was mainly associated with disease-related, logistical, technological, and psychosocial factors.
The available evidence suggests that different exercise modalities may provide complementary benefits on motor and non-motor outcomes. This supports individualized exercise prescription according to patients' clinical characteristics, rehabilitation goals, disease stage, and feasibility. Future research should prioritize greater standardization of exercise protocols and more consistent reporting of exercise dose, adherence, and dropout to facilitate comparisons across studies and strengthen the evidence base.