Impact of Joint Circulatory Exercises on Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
Introduction: Joint circulatory exercises constitute a therapeutic modality that combines active joint movements with the aim of improving periarticular blood circulation.
Objective: To determine the impact of joint circulatory exercises on range of motion, muscle strength, and muscle power in patients with Parkinson’s disease at the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital Dr. Faustino Pérez Hernández in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.
Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental, observational study with pre- and post-intervention measurements was conducted at the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital Dr. Faustino Pérez Hernández in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, during the period from February 2022 to December 2025. Of the 120 patients assessed for eligibility, 102 met the inclusion criteria, 100 agreed to participate and signed informed consent; 4 dropped out during the intervention. Joint range of motion was evaluated using goniometry, muscle strength using the Daniels and Worthingham scale, muscle power using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, and the 5-repetition Sit-to-Stand test.
Results: The predominant age group was 70–79 years (experimental: 45.8 %; control: 35.4 %). Regarding disease stage, stage 3 was the most frequent (experimental: 52.08 %; control: 58.3 %). Muscle strength assessment revealed pronounced increases in the experimental group after the intervention.
Conclusions: The incorporation of joint circulatory exercises into kinesiological treatment regimens for patients with Parkinson’s disease produces statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Adrian González Méndez, José Ismael Hernández Alfonso , Leydel Pedraza Zadas , Greidys Montano Águila , Ricardo Rodríguez Castiñeira
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