Effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized pilot trial

Objective To explore whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) have different effects on non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods In this 24-week, randomized, controlled, investigator–blinded pilot trial, 33 participants with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1–2; aged 50–80 years) were allocated to HIIT (3 days/week, 60% maximum aerobic power for 30–50 seconds with 1 minute rest intervals), MICT (3 days/week, 50% peak oxygen consumption), or control (usual care) groups. The primary clinical outcome was a 24-week change in the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) score. The secondary clinical outcomes were 24-week changes in the scores of specific non-motor questionnaires covering neuropsychiatric, sleep-related, autonomic, and sensory symptoms. Results NMSS score changes did not differ significantly among the three groups (Bonferroni-adjusted p >0.6 in all). In the secondary clinical outcome analyses, the MICT group showed a greater improvement in Beck Depression Inventory scores (median difference, 3.5 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 6.0; Bonferroni-adjusted p =0.016) and, to a lesser extent, Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (median difference, 2.0 points; 95% CI, 0.0 to 10.8; Bonferroni-adjusted p =0.054) compared with those of the control group. However, these trends were not observed in the HIIT group when compared with the control group (Bonferroni-adjusted p >0.9 in all). There were no significant differences in the other secondary outcomes between the groups. Conclusion This trial did not show the potential benefits of HIIT or MICT on overall non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. However, MICT may be more effective than HIIT in alleviating mood symptoms, which requires further large-scale investigation. Trial registration CRIS (cris.nih.go.kr) identifier: KCT0007130