The evidence specifically about pickleball and Parkinson's is promising but still at an early stage. A small pilot study and reports from existing programmes suggest that adapted pickleball may provide an enjoyable way to practise movement, dexterity and thinking skills while connecting with other people. These findings do not yet prove that pickleball treats Parkinson's or slows its progression, and more high-quality research is needed.
What the direct research tells us
A six-week pilot programme in Arizona involved 15 people with mild to moderate Parkinson's. Participants attended two one-hour pickleball sessions each week. The researchers assessed areas including grip strength, hand dexterity and everyday tasks before and after the programme, with a further follow-up one month later.
The early results reported improvements in grip strength and dexterity. Participants also completed a shirt-buttoning task around 20% faster immediately after the programme and more than 35% faster at the one-month follow-up. Because this was a small pilot rather than a large controlled trial, its findings should be treated as an encouraging reason for further study rather than definitive proof.
Read more about the project:
- Pickleball & Parkinson's: A Pilot Study, published as an abstract in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
- Rallying Against Parkinson Disease: Exploring the Therapeutic Impact of Pickleball, presented through the American Physical Therapy Association.
- Serving up hope: Pickleball shows promise in Parkinson's therapy patients, a report about the pilot and participants' experiences.
Why pickleball may be useful
Pickleball brings several kinds of activity together. A well-adapted session may give players opportunities to practise:
- Movement and stability through controlled stepping, stopping and changing direction.
- Sideways and forward stepping, using drills that can be adjusted to each person's ability.
- Reaction time and visual-spatial awareness by watching the ball, judging its path and choosing where to play it.
- Hand-eye coordination and dexterity through serving, returning and controlling the paddle.
- Thinking and communication by following play, making decisions and calling the score clearly.
- Social connection through doubles play, shared practice and time with other players.
These are features of the activity, not guaranteed medical outcomes. Parkinson's affects everyone differently, so sessions should be adapted to the individual.
Watch: experiences from pickleball programmes
Pickleball's positive impact on Parkinson's
The video starts at the section highlighted in the source material. If it does not play in your browser, watch it on YouTube.
Pickleball and Parkinson's: building dexterity, balance and community
If the embedded player is unavailable, watch it on YouTube.
Turning the ideas into a starter programme
A six-to-eight-week introduction can give new players time to learn the skills they need to play safely and enjoyably. It could focus on:
- Learning the court, paddle control and simple rules at a comfortable pace.
- Practising forward and sideways steps without requiring players to rush or reach dangerously.
- Building reaction and ball-tracking activities gradually.
- Calling the score to practise clear voice projection and keeping track of play.
- Making time for conversation and social connection.
- Inviting partners or family members to learn and play alongside the person with Parkinson's.
Use our guides to see what a typical session looks like, how the rules can be modified and how to manage risks.
Wider evidence about activity and Parkinson's
The wider evidence base concerns physical activity and exercise generally rather than pickleball in particular. A 2024 systematic review found that different forms of physical activity can have positive effects on aspects of quality of life for people living with Parkinson's, while also noting variation between studies and the need for further research. See The Positive Effects of Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.
For a broader reading list, visit Research for Activity and Exercise as Part of Living with Parkinson's.
Reports and UK examples
The following reports are useful for seeing how pickleball programmes have worked in different settings. They are stories and practical examples, rather than clinical proof:
- How pickleball is changing the lives of people with Parkinson's disease — ABC News, Australia.
- Thriving with Parkinson's: the trifecta of expert care, medications and movement — LiveInformed.
- Pickleball for Parkinson's in Letchworth — Parkinson's UK local support finder.
- Game-changing free pickleball sessions for Parkinson's community — North Herts Council.
- Pickleball and Parkinson's: adaptive play for better mobility — World Pickleball Magazine.
Keep participation safe and individual
People living with Parkinson's may have different needs relating to balance, fatigue, medication timing, movement, cognition or other health conditions. Clubs should use appropriate risk assessment, offer adaptations and encourage prospective players to seek advice from a physiotherapist or another suitable healthcare professional when needed. No one should feel pressured to complete a drill or play at a pace that is not right for them.