Relationships between physical activities performed under free-living conditions and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Physical activities performed under free-living conditions that are unsupervised in the home or community have the potential to modulate non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. Objective This systematic review investigates the relationships between physical activities performed in free-living conditions and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease: cognition, anxiety, apathy, depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and pain. Data sources A database search was performed on Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid (PsycINFO), CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest (Health and Medicine). Review methods Observational studies published from 2000 to 2024 that examined the relationships between physical activity and non-motor symptoms were included. The methodological quality of reports was evaluated using critical appraisal checklists appropriate to the study design. Where appropriate, a meta-analysis was conducted to combine data from the included articles. Results A total of 14 articles met the criteria and used various tools to evaluate non-motor symptoms and physical activity. Meta-analyses showed that people with Parkinson's who are more physically active have better global cognition [ β ranged from 0.12 to 0.28; p = 0.00–0.02] and less affective disorders [ β -0.20, p = 0.00]. Increased physical activity levels were also associated with better sleep quality ( n = 1) and less chronic pain ( n = 1). The overall methodological quality of the included articles was considered high. Conclusion Engagement in increased levels of physical activities performed under free-living conditions is associated with better cognition and less anxiety, apathy, and depression in people with Parkinson's disease.