Executive function, attention and memory, and global cognitive function improved after either aerobic or resistance exercise in people with Parkinson’s disease. Exercise also improved disease severity (analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials).

Some of the mechanisms include exercise-induced production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), IGF-1, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters.

This analysis of 11 studies and other studies suggest that exercise seems to improve specific measures of cognitive function and slow disease severity in people with Parkinson’s disease.