Parkinson Disease is a movement disorder that gets worse over time. It causes tremors, balance problems, stiffness, and slowed movements.
There is no cure. It can be managed with habit changes, medicine, and therapy. Some people may need surgery. Natural therapies have been used to further ease symptoms. They should not be used in place of standard care.
Natural Therapies
Likely Effective
Melatonin is a hormone in the body that helps regulate sleep. It can be taken as a supplement. It is likely to help improve sleep quality. D2
Other therapies that are likely to help are:
- Dance and dance therapy are likely to improve physical function C1-C3
- Mind-body exercises are likely to improve physical function, balance, and movement. K1
- Music-based movement therapy is likely to improve physical function. I1-I4
- Qigong is a type of movement meditation that is likely to ease symptoms when used with medicine. E4
- Singing may improve speech problems. I3
- Tai Chi is a type of movement meditation that is likely to improve physical function and lower the risk of falls. E1-E5
May Be Effective
Therapies that may have benefit are:
- Acupuncture places thin needles in specific parts of the body. It may improve physical function A1-A5
- Alexander technique teaches people to change habits that cause tension. It may ease back pain. M1
- Aquatic physiotherapy may improve movement, quality of life, and balance. G1
- Chinese medicine may ease symptoms, such as depression. L1-L3
- Physical activity may slow the loss of motor skills, ease depression and improve quality of life. H1-H4
- Psychotherapy may ease symptoms of depression. B1, B2
Unlikely to Be Effective
These herbs and supplements are unlikely to have benefit:
- Coenzyme Q10 is a protein that the body uses to make energy. D3, D6, D11
- Creatine is a substance that the body makes to produce energy. D4, D5
- Vitamin D is found in few foods, added to others, and taken as a supplement. It is also made when sunlight comes in contact with the skin. D7, D8, D9
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
Acupuncture
REFA1 Cho SY, Lee YE, et al. Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Acupuncture and Bee Venom Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(1):25-32.
REFA2 Otayza J, Juri C. Is acupuncture an alternative for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease? Medwave. 2018 May 3;18(3):e7198.
REFA3 Liu H, Chen L, et al. Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture combined with Madopar for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2017 Dec;35(6):404-412.
REFA4 Noh H, Kwon S, et al. Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Oct;34:86-103.
REFA5 Lee SH, Lim S. Clinical effectiveness of acupuncture on Parkinson disease: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Jan;96(3):e5836.
Psychotherapy
REFB1 Dobkin RD, Menza M, et al. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized, controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2011;168(10):1066-1074.
REFB2 Xie CL, Wang XD, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapy for depression in Parkinson's disease patients. Neurol Sci. 2015 Jun;36(6):833-843.
Dance
REFC1 Lötzke D, Ostermann T, et al. Argentine tango in Parkinson’s disease—a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Neurol. 2015;15:226.
REFC2 Sharp K, Hewitt J. Dance as an intervention for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014 Nov;47:445-456.
REFC3 Shanahan J, Morris ME, et al. Dance for people with Parkinson disease: what is the evidence telling us? Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Jan;96(1):141-153.
Herbs and Supplements
REFD1 Shen L. Associations between B Vitamins and Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients. 2015;7(9):197-208.
REFD2 Zhang W, Chen XY, et al. Exogenous melatonin for sleep disorders in neurodegenerative diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Neurol Sci. 2016;37(1):57-65.
REFD3 Negida A, Menshawy A, et al. Coenzyme Q10 for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2016;15(1):45-53.
REFD4 Attia, Ahmed H, et al. Meta-Analysis of Creatine for Neuroprotection Against Parkinson’s Disease. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2017;16(2):169-175.
REFD5 Mo JJ, Liu LY, et al. The effectiveness of creatine treatment for Parkinson’s disease: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Neurol. 2017;17(1):105.
REFD6 Zhu ZG, Sun MX, et al. The efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neurol Sci. 2017;38(2):215-224.
REFD7 Zhou Z, Zhou R, et al. The Association Between Vitamin D Status, Vitamin D Supplementation, Sunlight Exposure, and Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Med Sci Monit. 2019 Jan 23;25:666-674.
REFD8 Rimmelzwaan LM, van Schoor NM, et al. Systematic Review of the Relationship between Vitamin D and Parkinson's Disease. J Parkinsons Dis. 2016;6(1):29-37.
REFD9 Shen L, Ji HF. Associations between Vitamin D Status, Supplementation, Outdoor Work and Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis Assessment. Nutrients. 2015 Jun 15;7(6):4817-4827.
REFD10 Kim TH, Cho KH, et al. Herbal medicines for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e35695.
REFD11 Liu J, Wang L, et al. Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Dec 7;(12):CD008150.
Tai Chi
REFE1 Yang Y, Li XY, et al. Tai Chi for improvement of motor function, balance and gait in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e102942.
REFE2 Winser SJ, Tsang WW, et al. Does Tai Chi improve balance and reduce falls incidence in neurological disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2018 Sep;32(9):1157-1168.
REFE3 Ćwiękała-Lewis KJ, Gallek M, et al. The effects of Tai Chi on physical function and well-being among persons with Parkinson's Disease: A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2017 Apr;21(2):414-421.
REFE4 Yang Y, Qiu WQ, et al. The efficacy of traditional Chinese Medical Exercise for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2015 Apr 1;10(4):e0122469.
REFE5 Ni X, Liu S, et al. Efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014 Jun 13;9(6):e99377.
Yoga
REFF1 Green E, Huynh A, et al. Systematic Review of Yoga and Balance: Effect on Adults With Neuromuscular Impairment. Am J Occup Ther. 2019 Jan/Feb;73(1):7301205150p1-7301205150p11.
Aquatic Physiotherapy
REFG1 Terrens AF, Soh SE, et al. The efficacy and feasibility of aquatic physiotherapy for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Disabil Rehabil. 2018 Dec;40(24):2847-2856.
Physical Activity
REFH1 Wu PL, Lee M, et al. Effectiveness of physical activity on patients with depression and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017 Jul 27;12(7):e0181515.
REFH2 Kalron A, Zeilig G. Efficacy of exercise intervention programs on cognition in people suffering from multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence. NeuroRehabilitation. 2015;37(2):273-289.
REFH3 Alves Da Rocha P, McClelland J, et al. Complementary physical therapies for movement disorders in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2015 Dec;51(6):693-704.
REFH4 Cruickshank TM, Reyes AR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of strength training in individuals with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Jan;94(4):e411.
Music-based Interventions
REFI1 Zhang S, Liu D, et al. Can music-based movement therapy improve motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease? Systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurol Sci. 2017 Sep;38(9):1629-1636.
REFI2 Moumdjian L, Sarkamo T, et al. Effectiveness of music-based interventions on motricity or cognitive functioning in neurological populations: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2017 Jun;53(3):466-482.
REFI3 Barnish J, Atkinson RA, et al. Potential Benefit of Singing for People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review. J Parkinsons Dis. 2016 Jun 3;6(3):473-484.
REFI4 de Dreu MJ, van der Wilk AS, et al. Rehabilitation, exercise therapy and music in patients with Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis of the effects of music-based movement therapy on walking ability, balance and quality of life. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2012 Jan;18 Suppl 1:S114-S119.
Mindfulness
REFJ1 McLean G, Lawrence M, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. BMC Neurol. 2017 May 15;17(1):92.
Mind-body Exercises
REFK1 Kwok JY, Choi KC, et al. Effects of mind-body exercises on the physiological and psychosocial well-being of individuals with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2016 Dec;29:121-131.
Chinese Medicine
REFL1 Wei W, Chen HY, et al. Chinese medicine for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A meta analysis of randomized controlled trials. Chin J Integr Med. 2017 Jan;23(1):55-61.
REFL2 Zhang G, Xiong N, et al. Effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine as an adjunct therapy for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2015 Mar 10;10(3):e0118498.
REFL3 Zhang Y, Wang ZZ, et al. Systematic review of traditional chinese medicine for depression in Parkinson's disease. Am J Chin Med. 2014;42(5):1035-1051.
Alexander Technique
REFM1 Woodman JP, Moore NR. Evidence for the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons in medical and health-related conditions: a systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Jan;66(1):98-112.
Physiotherapy
REFN1 Tomlinson CL, Patel S, et al. Physiotherapy versus placebo or no intervention in Parkinson's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;(8):CD002817.