What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different exercise modalities on sleep quality in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

June 15, 2026Frontiers in Physiology0 citationsOpen Access

Efficacy of different exercise modalities for sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

YZYejun ZhanLishui University HCHongfu CiAmerican Medical Informatics Association XWXue WeiLishui University

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different exercise modalities on sleep quality in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Conducted systematic searches across multiple databases for relevant randomized controlled trials.
Included 16 RCTs involving 932 individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Performed network meta-analysis using Stata 19.0 and assessed consistency and publication bias.
Aerobic exercise significantly improved sleep quality (SMD = -0.94, 95% CI: -1.82 to -0.07) compared to control.
Rankings for exercise modalities were: Aerobic Exercise > Multimodal Exercise > Resistance Training > Stretching Training > Mind-Body Exercise > Control.
No significant publication bias was observed (Egger’s test, P = 0.438).

Abstract

Background Sleep disturbances are a common and burdensome non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The comparative efficacy of different exercise modalities for sleep quality in PD remains unclear. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare and rank the effects of various exercise interventions on sleep quality in people with PD. Methods This study followed the PRISMA extension statement for network meta-analyses. A systematic search was performed across Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang databases from their inception to November 3, 2025. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified, with study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment conducted independently by two reviewers. NMA was performed using Stata 19.0. Consistency was examined using design-by-treatment interaction and node-splitting approaches. Rankings were estimated using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results Of 2309 records screened, 16 RCTs involving 932 people with PD were included. Aerobic exercise (AE) significantly improved sleep quality compared with control (SMD = −0.94, 95% CI: −1.82 to −0.07). SUCRA rankings were: AE (highest) multimodal exercise (MME) resistance training (RT) stretching training (ST) mind-body exercise (MBE) control. No significant publication bias was found (Egger’s test, P = 0.438). Conclusion This NMA indicates that aerobic exercise is the most promising modality for enhancing sleep quality in people with PD and may guide non-pharmacological treatment selection in clinical practice. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , identifier CRD420261341953

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