The results of the present study indicate that resistance training is an effective intervention in the reduction of anxiety symptoms and improves the quality of life in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.

Background Depression affects up to 40% of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Purpose To assess resistance training effects on the depressive symptoms of elderly PD patients. Study design A randomized control study. Methods Thirty‐three patients (aged ≥ 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (a) control group: n = 16 and (b) resistance training group (RTG): n = 17. All patients with Parkinson's disease (stage 1‐3 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale). The RTG, in addition to maintaining their pharmacological treatments, performed 20 weeks of resistance training. The control group maintained their pharmacological treatments. Depressive symptoms, quality of life, unified Parkinson's Disease scale, and functional capacity were evaluated in both groups. Results The RTG presented a significant reduction (P < .05) of depressive symptoms (pre = 17.9 ± 8 score; post = 10.3 ± 6 score; effect size: −0.48), improved quality of life (pre = 40.3 ± 21.1 score; post = 30.2 ± 16.8 score; effect size: −0.26), and improved UPDRS (pre = 64 ± 34.6 score; post = 49.1 ± 24.1 score; effect size: −0.24). No significant changes in the control group regarding depressive symptoms (pre = 18.7 ± 5.4 score; post = 19.4 ± 5.2 score; effect size: 0.07), quality of life (pre = 39 ± 16.1 score; post = 40.6 ± 15.6 score; effect size: 0.05), and UPDRS (pre = 61.1 ± 24.3 score; post = 64.9 ± 23.4 score; effect size: 0.08) after 20 weeks. Conclusion Resistance training reduces depressive symptoms and improves the quality of life and functionality of elderly with PD.

Aim To evaluate the effects of low‐volume resistance training on the physical and functional capacity of older patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods A total of 54 patients (aged ≥60 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (i) a control group comprising 13 men and 14 women; and (ii) a resistance training group with 14 men and 13 women. The resistance training group, in addition to maintaining their pharmacological treatments, carried out 6 months of resistance training twice a week, whereas the control group maintained their pharmacological treatments. Handgrip strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, gait speed and balance were assessed in both groups. Results After 6 months, patient functionality in the control group was reduced, whereas patients who carried out low training volumes showed significantly improved flexibility (Pre × Post: P = 0.008), aerobic resistance (Pre × Post: P = 0.006), gait speed (Pre × Post: P = 0.006) and balance (Pre × Post: P = 0.043). Significant improvement (P = 0.042) was also observed in right handgrip strength in the resistance training group. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that low‐volume resistance training improves the physical capacity of older people with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, we suggest that resistance training be a central component in exercise programs for patients with Parkinson's disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 635–640.

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Background. Recent data have suggested that polymorphisms in the length of the polyalanine tract (polyA) of FOXE1 gene may act as a susceptibility factor for thyroid dysgenesis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of polyA of FOXE1 gene on the risk of thyroid dysgenesis. Method. A case-control study was conducted in a sample of 90 Brazilian patients with thyroid dysgenesis and 131 controls without family history of thyroid disease. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and the genotype of each individual was determined by automated sequencing. Results. More than 90% of genotypes found in the group of patients with thyroid dysgenesis and in controls subjects were represented by sizes 14 and 16 polymorphisms in the following combinations: 14/14, 14/16, and 16/16. Genotypes 14/16 and 16/16 were more frequent in the control group, while genotype 14/14 was more frequent in the group of patients with thyroid dysgenesis. There was no difference between agenesis group and control group. Genotype 14/14 when compared to genotypes 14/16 and 16/16A showed an association with thyroid dysgenesis. Conclusion. PolyA of FOXE1 gene alters the risk of thyroid dysgenesis, which may explain in part the etiology of this disease.