Title: Effects of Yoga on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ana Leticia Fornari Caprara, Jamir Pitton Rissardo, and Ian M. Walker
Conference: 2026 MDS-PAS, Houston, TX
Objective
To assess the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background
GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes, have shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical PD models. Clinical trials have explored their potential to improve motor and non-motor outcomes, but findings remain inconsistent.
Design/Methods
We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists (exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, NLY01) with placebo or standard care in PD. Primary outcomes were changes in Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) in ON and OFF medication states; non-motor symptoms (NMS) were secondary. Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using fixed-effect and random-effects models.
Results
Five trials (n.E. 258 and n.C. 239) were included. GLP-1 receptor agonists significantly improved UPDRS-III in the ON state (pooled MD fixed-effect –2.40, 95% CI –3.89 to –0.91; random-effect –2.53, 95% CI –5.01 to –0.06), indicating a meaningful benefit, with moderate heterogeneity (I2 59.3%). Also, a significant effect was observed in the OFF state (pooled MD fixed-effect –1.19, 95% CI –2.34 to –0.04), and heterogeneity was moderate (I2 56.2%). For NMS, the effect was negligible (pooled fixed-effect MD 0.11, 95% CI –2.61 to 2.83; I2 42.4%).
Conclusions
GLP-1 receptor agonists may provide motor benefits in the ON and OFF medication states but show no clear advantage for non-motor symptoms. Moderate to high heterogeneity and limited sample sizes warrant cautious interpretation. Larger, longer-duration trials are needed to confirm potential disease-modifying effects.
Citation
Caprara ALF, Rissardo JP, Walker I. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Motor and Non-Motor Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2026;13(S1):S99–S100. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.7047.
Figure 1. Forest plots showing pooled effects of GLP‑1 receptor agonists on UPDRS‑III ON, UPDRS‑III OFF, and NMSS outcomes across medication subgroups, with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals.