Effects of depression and exercise on health-related quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objectives There is limited literature describing the effect exercise may have on depression and an individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Parkinson's Disease (PD). We aim to quantify this effect. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 60 PD subjects. The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) summary index and the Geriatric Depression Scale-30 were used to quantify HRQoL and depression, respectively. Data were obtained on exercise habits. ANOVA and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to calculate mean differences in HRQoL. Results Depression was consistently related to HRQoL ( p < 0.05). Of those who exercised as an adult before PD diagnosis, 49.02% ( n = 25) reported depression as compared to 88.89% ( n = 8) of those who did not report adult exercise ( p = 0.03). Those who exercised frequently as an adult prior to PD diagnosis had a better PDQ-39 Cognitive Index ( p = 0.03). Those who were not depressed and were currently exercising had a significantly higher HRQoL than those who were depressed and did not exercise ( p < 0.01). Discussion Exercising and depression may interact to affect HRQoL. Thus, coordination of mental health evaluation and exercise regimens in persons with PD may improve HRQoL.