IMPACT OF RESISTANCE EXERCISE ON ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that af-fects the central nervous system, causing both motor and non-motor impair-ments that significantly impact quality of life. Among the non-motor symptoms, anxiety stands out as one of the most prevalent manifestations, influencing functionality, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence. Thus, this stu-dy aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety in patients with PD subjected to a su-pervised resistance training program. The randomized study included 17 parti-cipants of both sexes, recruited through associations and medical referrals. The program was conducted at the Laboratory of Resistance Exercise and Health (LERES) at the State University of Pará, lasting 12 weeks, and anxiety levels were measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores after training, with a shift from moderate to mild and minimal levels, confirming the effectiveness of the intervention in improving mental health. It is concluded that resistance training is an effective, safe, and accessible therapeutic strategy capable of reducing anxiety and pro-moting quality of life in older adults with PD, reinforcing its relevance as a com-plementary intervention in the multidimensional treatment of the disease.