To understand the exercise behaviors of people seeking mental health services (MHS) and determine whether changes in MHS and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are associated with moderate-vigorous exercise participation.

Regular exercise has been associated with reduced depression and anxiety. Furthermore, exercise relieves stress, improves memory and overall mood.  These symptoms complicate the clinical management of PD and impact quality of life for patients and caregivers. Benefits of exercise on aspects of mental health in PD have received limited attention.

The Parkinson’s Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (PF-QII), also known as Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, was used to conduct cross-sectional analysis describing the exercise behaviors, clinical characteristics, and emotional well-being of people seeking MHS. 5,471 patients were included if they had more than 90% certainty of idiopathic PD diagnosis. To assess effect of exercise behaviors on clinical outcomes in people currently receiving MHS, we analyzed data from 2,208 patients who had two study visits. Linear and logistic models were fitted, controlling for baseline response, age, sex, disease duration, cognition, and number of comorbidities.

Patients utilizing MHS had longer disease duration, with higher PDQ-39 total and subscale scores (all p < 0.0001). Fewer people with MHS achieved 2.5 hours of moderate-vigorous exercise per week (With MHS 38%, Without MHS 45%, p<0.0001; average 2.5±3.4 and 3.1±3.9 hours per week, respectively). Changes in PDQ-39 total score, PDQ-39 emotional well-being score, use of psychologist, use of psychiatrist and use of drugs for anxiety and/or depression at the subsequent visit were not associated with exercise grouping after controlling for covariates.

People with PD seeking MHS exercise less than people who are not seeking MHS, which may be an opportunity for quality improvement in interdisciplinary care given the benefits of exercise on nonmotor symptoms of PD.