- Parkinson's, a disease that causes tremors and other neurological
problems, usually strikes people who are near 60 years old. Now,
researchers say a special type of exercise could grant some
Parkinson's patients relief from their symptoms.
For most people, turning 50 years old signifies middle age. For
Steve Derman, it meant a shocking health diagnosis.

"Not having been sick a day in my life, it came as a complete shock,
and we didn't accept the first diagnosis, or the second diagnosis,
or the third diagnosis," Derman says. "[Now] I can't button shirts,
can't tie a tie."

Derman takes medication, but the side effects can be worse than the
symptoms. Now, a drug-free therapy is helping. It's forced exercise
on a tandem bike.

Jay Alberts, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at the Cleveland Clinic in
Ohio, says in the past, exercise hasn't really helped patients. But
by pushing them out of their comfort zone and forcing them to pedal
much faster than they would normally, symptoms can improve more than
they do from drugs.

"After eight weeks of exercise, symptoms have improved 30 to 35
percent for patients, which is a pretty dramatic improvement,"
Alberts says.

Researchers aren't positive how this method works, but they think
driving the central nervous system beyond its normal capacity can
lead to biochemical changes. Further proof? Patients only work the
lower half of their bodies, but motor symptoms in their upper half
improve.

"We may be actually treating the disease rather than just treating
the symptoms," Alberts says.

"It's tremendous," says Derman. "It not only relieves the symptoms,
but it really gives you a purpose in life."

Margot Kim
09/12/2007(Livingston.com)