Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that affects at least 500,000 people in the United States. It occurs when brain cells fail to produce enough dopamine, a chemical that helps to control movements, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. Symptoms of Parkinson’s begin gradually and become worse over time. They include trembling, stiffness, and poor balance and coordination. As Parkinson’s progresses, daily tasks like walking, talking, and chewing may become difficult. Depression and sleep problems are common. It’s unclear why some people develop Parkinson’s; genes may play a role, as well as exposure to chemicals in the environment.

What the Science Says

Researchers have studied the following complementary health approaches for Parkinson’s:

Psychological and Physical Approaches

• Tai Chi. There’s limited evidence that tai chi may help to improve balance in some people with Parkinson’s disease, but studies have had mixed results. In a 2012 study of people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s, the group assigned to do tai chi twice a week for 24 weeks had greater improvements in their balance, stability, and walking speed compared to the groups who did resistance training or stretching. The tai chi group was also more likely to continue exercising after the 24 weeks, a follow-up study showed. However, two or three tai chi classes a week over 16 weeks wasn’t associated with improvements in walking, a smaller, 2013 study funded by NCCIH showed.
• Massage and Acupuncture. The research on massage and acupuncture for people with Parkinson’s is limited. There’s no strong evidence that either helps to reduce symptoms.
• Dance. Compared to other forms of exercise, taking dance lessons, particularly Argentine tango, appears to help with some symptoms of Parkinson’s for at least the short term, research reviews of multiple, small studies show. In general, participants’ balance, mobility, and quality of life improved. The studies didn’t include participants with advanced Parkinson’s.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. It’s been approved for certain types of depression, and a few (but not all) studies show that it may improve some symptoms of Parkinson’s. rTMS is non-invasive and differs from deep brain stimulation, a surgical procedure used to treat several disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Caregivers: To protect your health and well-being, consider joining a support group, establishing a daily routine for yourself, getting exercise, and seeing your own health care provider as needed.

Dietary Supplements

• No dietary supplements have been shown to reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s. Large, separate studies of the dietary supplements creatine and coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s were stopped early because the supplements were clearly not better than the placebo that some study participants received.
• Researchers are studying omega-3 fatty acids and a form of glutathione, an antioxidant that is found in the brain, for Parkinson’s.
• In addition to investigating a variety of complementary health approaches for Parkinson’s, researchers are studying how susceptible symptoms of Parkinson’s are to the placebo effect. For example, a placebo pill caused similar changes in brain activity as a standard Parkinson’s drug, a small NCCIH-funded study found.

Safety

• Tai chi, acupuncture, massage, and dance appear to be safe for most people with Parkinson’s, but check with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program or complementary health approach.
• rTMS generally appears safe for people with Parkinson’s, but it may pose a risk if you have a pacemaker or experience certain types of seizures.
• Dietary supplements may have side effects and interact with drugs. For example, St. John’s wort, which is used for depression and other conditions, can increase how quickly many drugs break down in your body, making the drugs less effective. Some products may be poor quality and contain contaminants, including drugs, chemicals, or metals. Studies have found significant differences between what’s on the label and what’s in the bottle of some supplements.

Recent reviews and meta-analyses have found beneficial effects of acupuncture in people with Parkinson’s disease, but because of methodological flaws in many of the studies, conclusive evidence is still lacking.

What Does the Research Show?

• The American Academy of Neurology’s 2006 practice parameter on neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of acupuncture in Parkinson’s disease.
• A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 studies involving 2,625 participants concluded that acupuncture might be a safe and useful adjunctive treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease; however, because of methodological flaws in the reviewed studies, conclusive evidence is still lacking. Another 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 studies had similar results.
• A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies involving 2,314 participants evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine as an adjunct therapy for Parkinson’s disease found that acupuncture (based on 2 studies of 98 participants) as adjunct therapy with dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) was markedly beneficial for improving some Parkinson’s-related symptoms compared to routine treatment alone.
• A 2014 review of 11 studies concluded that the lack of randomized controlled trials and small sample size were not sufficient to demonstrate favorable effects of acupuncture on Parkinson’s disease.

Safety

• Acupuncture is generally safe and well-tolerated in most people when it is performed by a licensed practitioner.

Only a few studies have been conducted on massage therapy for symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, so there is insufficient data to support or refute its use.

What Does the Research Show?

• The American Academy of Neurology’s practice parameter on neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute manual therapy, including massage therapy, biofeedback, or Alexander technique in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
• A 2013 randomized controlled pilot study of 45 participants with Parkinson’s disease found that salivary cortisol (a natural biomarker for stress) concentrations were significantly reduced immediately following the tactile massage intervention, but there were no significant differences in reduction compared to the control group and no long-term effect.

Safety

• Massage therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated in most people when it is performed by a licensed practitioner.

There is some evidence for the effects of music-based interventions on supporting cognition, motor function, or emotional wellbeing in people with Parkinson’s disease. There is also some limited evidence that dance, such as the Argentine tango, can be a supportive approach for people with Parkinson’s disease and has the potential to improve specific symptoms of Parkinson’s, including motor severity and balance over the short term.

What Does the Research Show?

• A 2017 review concluded that evidence suggests that dancing and music-based interventions that synchronize movement to music can be beneficial in the maintenance of motor performance in people with Parkinson’s disease.
• A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies evaluated research results on the effectiveness of Argentine tango for people with Parkinson’s disease and found significant overall effects in favor of tango for motor severity and balance. However, the studies were small and many were conducted by the same research groups.
• A 2013 clinical trial involving 31 participants examined the effects of adapted tango on spatial cognition and disease severity in Parkinson’s disease and found that the tango participants improved on disease severity and spatial cognition, compared with the control group. Improvements among the tango participants were also seen in balance and executive function.
• A 2013 randomized controlled trial of 52 participants with Parkinson’s disease found that those who participated in a community-based Argentine tango class reported increased participation in complex daily activities, recovery of activities lost since the onset of Parkinson’s disease, and engagement in new activities.
• When comparing the differential effects of tango versus other types of dance for Parkinson’s disease, a 2015 study of 11 participants concluded that tango dance interventions may preferentially improve mobility and motor signs in people with Parkinson’s disease, compared to other dance interventions.
• A 2015 randomized controlled trial of 20 participants examined the effects of virtual reality dance exercise on people with Parkinson’s disease and found that virtual reality dance exercise had a positive effect on balance, activities of daily living, and depressive disorder status.
• A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials found that dance as an intervention for Parkinson’s disease significantly improved motor scores, balance, and gait speed when compared to no treatment. When compared with other exercise interventions, significant improvements in balance and quality of life were found.

Safety

• Dancing and music-based interventions in people with Parkinson’s disease are generally considered safe when practiced in a controlled environment. Dancing with a partner may provide an added safety element in preventing falls by holding on to the partner.

There is some limited evidence that tai chi may improve some symptoms of Parkinson’s, but study results are mixed.

What Does the Research Show?

• A 2017 systematic review of 11 studies of 548 participants with Parkinson’s disease found that overall, participants performing tai chi had better balance and one or more aspect of well-being, although mixed results were reported.
• A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials involving 799 participants found positive evidence of tai chi plus medication for Parkinson’s disease for improvements in motor function, balance, and functional reach; however, no significant difference was found between tai chi plus medication and medication alone for gait or quality of life.
• A 2015 systematic review of 64 studies of nonpharmacologic approaches to improve balance in Parkinson’s disease found some evidence that tai chi may help improve balance and motor control abilities; however, a 2013 randomized controlled trial showed that 16 weeks of tai chi training were ineffective in gait performance, gait initiation, or the reduction of disability related to Parkinson’s disease.
• A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials and one non-randomized controlled trial involving a total of 470 participants found that tai chi showed beneficial effects in improving motor function, balance, and functional mobility in participants with Parkinson’s disease, but not in improving gait velocity, step length, or gait endurance. However, when compared to other active therapies, tai chi only showed better effects in improving balance.
• A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 409 participants with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease concluded that tai chi, performed with medication, resulted in improvements in mobility and balance.

Safety

• Tai chi is generally considered safe for most people. A 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials concluded that tai chi was safe and popular among participants with Parkinson’s disease who are at an early stage of disease.

Only a few trials have been conducted on coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease, so there aren’t enough data to determine whether coenzyme Q10 has any effect on symptoms.

What Does the Research Show?

• The American Academy of Neurology’s practice parameter on neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of coenzyme Q10 for neuroprotection.
• A 2014 randomized clinical trial of 600 participants with Parkinson’s disease concluded that coenzyme Q10 was safe and well tolerated in this population, but showed no evidence of clinical benefit.
• A 2002 randomized controlled trial of 80 participants with early Parkinson’s disease found that less disability developed in subjects assigned to coenzyme Q10 than in those assigned to placebo; however, the results did not reach statistical significance.

Safety

• Studies have not reported serious side effects related to CoQ10 use. The most common side effects of CoQ10 include insomnia, increased liver enzymes, rashes, nausea, upper abdominal pain, dizziness, sensitivity to light, irritability, headaches, heartburn, and fatigue.
• CoQ10 may make warfarin less effective.

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether creatine used alone or as an adjuvant treatment is efficacious for Parkinson’s disease.

What Does the Research Show?

• A 2014 Cochrane systematic review of 2 randomized controlled trials involving 194 participants concluded that the evidence base on the effects of creatine in Parkinson’s disease is limited by risk of bias, small sample sizes, and short duration of clinical trials, and does not provide a reliable basis on which treatment decisions can be made.

Safety

• The Cochrane systematic review found that creatine appears to be safe and well-tolerated; however, there was a higher rate of patients with gastrointestinal complaints in the creatine group compared to the placebo group at 2 years followup.

There is some limited evidence that Mucuna pruriens may have beneficial effects on some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as motor function. The seeds of the plant contain L-DOPA.

What Does the Research Show?

• A 2018 non-inferiority, randomized, crossover, pilot study with 14 Parkinson’s disease patients received Mucuna pruriens powder and levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD). Daily intake of Mucuna pruriens resulted in 50% of patients discontinuing uses due to either gastrointestinal side-effects (n?=?4) or worsening of motor performance (n?=?3). During the LD/CD phase no one discontinued use. For patients who tolerated Mucuna pruriens, clinical response was similar to LD/CD.
• A 2017 randomized controlled trial of 18 patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease found that Mucuna pruriens powder, at both high and low doses, is as effective and safe as levodopa/benserazide.
• A 2004 preliminary pilot study of eight participants with Parkinson’s disease with a short duration L-dopa response and disabling peak dose dyskinesias found that the seed powder formulation of Mucuna pruriens contains a considerable quantity of L-dopa and has a rapid onset of action with a slightly longer duration of therapeutic response compared with standard L-dopa. Mucuna pruriens’s long-term efficacy and safety has not yet been established.

Safety

• The long-term safety of Mucuna pruriens has not yet been established.

Results of studies suggest that vitamin E may not be useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

What Does the Research Show?

• The American Academy of Neurology’s practice parameter on neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease concluded that Vitamin E is probably ineffective for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and recommended that for patients with Parkinson’s disease, vitamin E should not be considered for symptomatic treatment.
• A large 1993 clinical trial involving 800 participants with early stage Parkinson’s disease evaluated the effects of deprenyl (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor) and tocopherol (a component of vitamin E) on the progression of disability and found that tocopherol did not delay the onset of disability associated with Parkinson’s.

Safety

• High doses of alpha-tocopherol supplements can cause hemorrhage and interrupt blood coagulation in animals, and in vitro data suggest that high doses inhibit platelet aggregation.
• Results from a large SELECT trial show that vitamin E supplements (400 IU/day) may harm adult men in the general population by increasing their risk of prostate cancer. Follow up studies are assessing whether the cancer risk was associated with baseline blood levels of vitamin E and selenium prior to supplementation as well as whether changes in one or more genes might increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer while taking vitamin E.

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that occurs when nerve cells in the brain that make the chemical dopamine stop working normally. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, people may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help in diagnosing Parkinson’s, so it’s sometimes hard to diagnose.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but medications and a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation may help control symptoms for a limited period. Some people with Parkinson’s disease also try complementary health approaches to help with symptoms of the disease. Here are 5 things to know about complementary health approaches for Parkinson’s disease:

1. There is some limited evidence that tai chi may improve some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as balance and functional mobility, but study results are mixed.

2. Dance therapy appears to provide short-term benefits for some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including balance problems.

3. Neither massage nor acupuncture appears to reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but the research on both approaches is limited.

4. No dietary supplements have been shown to help control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

5. Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.