Call for Proposals – Funding Research on the Impact of Physical Activity in Parkinson’s Disease
To be conducted in Italy by young researchers
Background
Worldwide, approximately 6 million people live with Parkinson’s disease a number expected to rise sharply to over 9 million by 2040, due to the aging global population and partly unknown environmental factors.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms. While there is currently no definitive cure, disease management has significantly improved in recent years not only through the introduction of new medications and optimized treatment strategies across the various stages of the disease, but also through the early integration of physical exercise into the therapeutic approach. Adopting a healthier lifestyle that includes regular physical activity has been shown to help manage symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
Regular exercise and sports have emerged as crucial elements in a comprehensive approach to managing PD, offering both physical benefits and a positive impact on emotional and cognitive well-being. Ultimately, these activities contribute to better health outcomes for individuals living with the disease.
A recent literature review involving more than 4,000 people with PD revealed that regular participation in activities such as dance, yoga, multimodal training, Nordic walking, aquatic exercise, and Qigong led to significant improvements in motor symptoms.
In light of these findings, the LIMPE Foundation for Parkinson’s Onlus and the Association Sintomi di Felicità are committed to addressing the social and economic impact of Parkinson’s by funding scientific research focused on the effects of physical activity on both motor and non-motor symptoms. This call is specifically aimed at young researchers, to foster future expertise in a field that remains largely underexplored.
The LIMPE Foundation and the Association Sintomi di Felicità have identified prevention and early intervention as the most strategic areas for investment especially in light of the fact that motor symptoms often appear only after significant biological damage has occurred. There is an urgent need for accessible therapies that can slow or positively modify the course of the disease, ideally from its earliest stages.
Our Mission
The LIMPE Foundation for Parkinson’s is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting medical and scientific research through fundraising, as well as promoting training and public awareness on Parkinson’s disease, parkinsonism, dystonia, chorea (including Huntington’s), tremor, ataxia, other movement disorders, and dementia. The Foundation operates both nationally and internationally.
The Sintomi di Felicità association is a non-profit social promotion organization that supports cultural and artistic initiatives, music, live performances, and sport especially sport for people with disabilities. It also works to raise awareness and knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis through social and cultural events and athletic activities.
Goals
Over the next two years, the LIMPE Foundation and Sintomi di Felicità Association will allocate funds received through a donation by Mrs. [Name] to support a research project led by young scientists. The project will focus on evaluating the effects of physical activity on improving motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.
