impact of a 12-week combined strength, aerobic, and balance training program on dopamine and serotonin levels in patients with parkinson's disease: a randomized clinical trial

Background and aims: serotonin and dopamine are monoamine neurotransmitters that are reduced in parkinson's disease) (pd). this study examined the effects of the 12-week combined strength, aerobic, and balance training program on dopamine and serotonin plasma levels in patients with parkinson's disease (pd). methods: this study was designed as a randomized clinical trial. a total of 30 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to one of two groups using block randomization, including a combined exercise group (strength, aerobic, and balance exercises) of 15 participants and a pd group with 15 participants. the study was conducted in 2024 in isfahan, iran. the training program lasted 12 weeks, with five weekly sessions held at a sports club. the data were analyzed using ancova for between-group comparisons and a paired test for within-group changes (p<0.05). results: the results revealed significant differences in dopamine and serotonin among the two pd groups (p<0.001). however, there was a substantial increase in the combined exercise program group compared with the pd group (p<0.001). in the combined exercise group, dopamine levels increased from 0.0141±0.003 at the pretest to 0.0853±0.033 at the posttest (p=0.001). finally, serotonin levels rose from 4.59±0.56 to 6.59±0.90 (p=0.001). conclusion: the combined exercise increased the dopamine and serotonin levels in pd. accordingly, performing combined exercise can be used as a therapeutic intervention in pd prevention and treatment strategies.