Key Questions Answered

Q: How does exercise impact the brains of Parkinson’s patients?
A: Long-term cycling appears to change brain signals in areas influenced by Parkinson’s, hinting at some neural reactivation.

Q: What sets this study apart?
A: Researchers utilized implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices to gather real-time brain signals before and after exercise, establishing a link between motor enhancements and possible changes at the network level in the brain.

Q: Did participants experience genuine improvement?
A: Yes—after completing 12 sessions of adaptive cycling, participants showed changes in motor-related brain signals and reported better symptoms, such as improved walking and higher energy levels.

Summary: A recent study indicates that prolonged adaptive cycling can significantly alter brain signals in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, offering insights into how exercise alleviates motor symptoms. Researchers tracked neural activity through deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants before and after 12 dynamic cycling sessions.

While no immediate changes were noted, substantial changes in motor-related brain signals were observed by the study’s conclusion. This suggests that exercise might initiate more extensive network-level alterations in the brain, aiding in the restoration of disrupted connections caused by Parkinson’s.

Key Facts:

• Neural Rewiring: After 12 sessions of cycling, measurable changes were recorded in brain signals associated with motor function.
• Adaptive Exercise: Specialized bikes adjusted resistance in real time to enhance both engagement and motor benefits.
• Network-Level Insight: Findings suggest changes in brain wiring beyond just the area affected by the DBS implant.

A groundbreaking study from University Hospitals and the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System indicates that long-term dynamic exercise programs may influence brain signals in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients more than previously understood.

Researchers tapped into data from participants’ deep brain stimulation devices to explore how exercise could help restore connections impaired by Parkinson’s Disease.

Unlike earlier studies, which primarily focused on symptoms, this research aimed to decode the brain changes associated with relief in motor function, employing state-of-the-art DBS devices and a comprehensive cycling regimen designed for PD patients.

Details of the study are published in the June 2025 edition of Clinical Neurophysiology.

This pilot study, which received funding from a VA Merit Award alongside donations to the Department of Neurology at University Hospitals, was conducted by Dr. Aasef Shaikh, a neurologist affiliated with both institutions, and Prajakta Joshi, a biomedical engineering PhD candidate leading the article.

“We’ve established over years that dynamic cycling routines help manage Parkinson’s tremors,” Dr. Shaikh noted. “This latest research incorporates deep brain stimulation alongside a continued exercise program to visualize how such activity might be rewiring neural connections.”

Collaboration between the two medical centers was vital, Dr. Shaikh emphasized, as it allowed for a broader participant pool during recruitment.

About the Study

Participants—many of whom were military veterans—attended 12 dynamic cycling sessions across a four-week timeframe. Everyone had previously received DBS implants aimed at alleviating their motor symptoms, allowing for simultaneous brain signal measurements from the electrode-embedded area.

A key aspect of the study was the adaptive cycling regimen, which encourages the bike to adapt based on each participant’s performance.

For instance, riders were guided to maintain a pace of up to 80 rpm for about half an hour, with an on-screen performance indicator resembling a balloon needing to be kept airborne but within certain limits.

The bike’s adaptive nature also made it uncertain how much effort riders should exert. It helped them reach 80 rpm while adjusting resistance levels based on their effort. Researchers believe this dynamic support is particularly effective for managing Parkinson’s symptoms.

Kent State University PhD candidate Lara Shigo, a co-author of the study, pointed out that while 80 RPMs exceed typical comfortable cycling speeds, the bike’s support minimizes fatigue.

Exciting Findings

Brain signals were recorded from participants’ DBS electrodes to study the effects of exercise in the targeted brain area.

“We aimed to comprehend both the immediate and long-term exercise impacts in the brain area where the electrodes are placed, a region significantly affected by Parkinson’s,” Dr. Shaikh explained.

Although immediate changes were not observed, measurable differences in motor control signals arose after the 12 sessions.

Joshi and the team noted that the modern DBS systems provide a unique perspective on brain activity but are limited to the regions where the electrodes are located. Consequently, other areas of the brain that contribute to observed symptoms might not be accounted for.

The notable insight from Joshi is that “there may be a broader circuit at play. Various upstream and downstream pathways might be affected by exercise, indicating that we’re possibly inducing network-level changes that facilitate improvements in motor function.”

Future research should provide more clarity, she added.

“The good news is that our next studies could guide us closer to groundbreaking and personalized treatments for PD.”

Patient Success

Amanda “Mandy” Ensman, 59, who has lived with Parkinson’s for 12 years, participated in the study.

“I realized I had to start exercising; it truly makes a difference,” she shared. “Cycling improved several symptoms I was facing, like my walking and energy levels.”

Mandy continues to engage in physical therapy at InMotion, where the study took place. The facility offers exercise classes specifically tailored for individuals with Parkinson’s.