The effects of treadmill exercise in animal models of Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disabling brain disorder. Physical exercise has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of PD and, consequently, improve patient quality of life. Exercise mechanisms involved in beneficial effects on PD have been widely investigated. This study aims to systematically review the literature on the use of treadmill exercise in PD animal models. The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI databases. In total, 78 studies were included. The dopaminergic system, behavior, neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, mitochondria, and musculoskeletal systems were some of the outcomes evaluated by the selected studies. Based on the systematic review center for laboratory animal experimentation (SYRCLE) RoB tool, the methodologies revealed a high risk of bias and lack of information about study design, which needs attention for data reproducibility. This review can guide future studies that aim to fill existing gaps regarding the effects of treadmill exercise in PD animal models.