The results of a new study show [1]:

"Contrary to previous research, caffeine may not relieve movement symptoms for people with Parkinson's disease".

The research paper is behind a paywall, but the abstract says [2]:

"Caffeine did not provide clinically important improvement of motor manifestations of PD (Class I evidence). Epidemiologic links between caffeine and lower PD risk do not appear to be explained by symptomatic effects."

Reference:

[1] That cup of coffee may not relieve Parkinson's symptoms -- ScienceDaily

[2] Caffeine as symptomatic treatment for Parkinson disease (Cafe-PD)

John

This may well be, but I think if someone benefits, or thinks they benefit, from a cup or two of coffee, that's all that really matters

yes.... I have found that sometimes coffee ~feels good (and beneficial) and sometimes it doesn't and its pretty easy for me to discern as my body is very clear on this one ....I do better with coffee than either green tea or chai tea which are both a definite no .

lurkingforacure and moondaughter make a good point: it is the individual that matters. If a therapy truly works for person X, that fact is not changed if it doesn't work for person Y or, indeed, everyone else. Seeing the therapy work for other people just increases our estimation of the accuracy of our assertion that it truly works for X.

We have a partial ordering of therapies:
- works for all the people, all the time;
- works for some of the people, all the time;
- works for all the people, some of the time;
- works for some of the people, some of the time.

As if that wasn't complicated enough, throw in the distinction between a therapy that gives symptomatic improvement and one that slows disease progression. Throw in pragmatics, such as cost, genetics, PwP preparedness to take part in clinical trials, the placebo effect, the sometime non-publication of adverse results, and the accuracy and resolution of the measurement process. Mix all these up, and it's no surprise that progress is so slow.

John

HI John!

speaking of time......

I would add that our general linear perception of ~t i m e itself is that it is linear rather than cyclic (thanks to the Roman calendar) which feeds a common misperception that the experience of pd is just one long or short downhill decline rather than recovery from sx being possible.....( what....no brain plasticity??) like the infinity symbol figure 8......the gregorian experience of time is much more complex and I think very relevant as pd is an experience of literally being frozen in t i m e

All the best to you
MD

p.s. just noticed the smiley face at the end of this post came up (a very relevant) blue (instead of yellow)....but I just typed semi colon /parenthesis on the keyboard!! hmmmmm wonders never cease! (pun ~ intended ???) lol

I haven"t really tested this but tea does contain a small amount of amino acids which may reduce l-dopa absorption. this would only affect advanced pd'ers that depend on frequent dosing of l-dopa. again, just a theory.

I get up and usally I feel alot better after moving around .I then have my coffee 4 cups am and feel much better.Cant tell if I even took my c/l,lol
But the catch is how long can I sit before get stuck.C/l does extend mobility.Ive done thi for 6 years.
Hot showers also works wonders,lol