Using Eye Movements to Improve Mood and Motivation in Parkinson’s

by Trent McEntire

While Parkinson’s is most often recognized for its physical symptoms—tremors, slowness, and rigidity—many people also experience mood-related challenges like apathy, anxiety, and depression. What’s less known is how eye movements, especially where and how we direct our gaze, can influence emotional regulation and motivation. The connection between the eyes and the emotional centers of the brain is a powerful, often underutilized tool for managing the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Research has shown that certain eye movement patterns, especially upward gaze and visual engagement with dynamic stimuli, can activate brain areas associated with dopamine release and emotional processing. The limbic system, which governs mood and motivation, is deeply interconnected with the visual system. For instance, people tend to report more positive emotions when they are prompted to look upward, as this engages prefrontal and midbrain regions tied to motivation and attentional drive (Prete et al., 2018). Visual input isn’t just passive; it plays a central role in energizing brain systems involved in movement, purpose, and mood.

In Parkinson’s, where dopamine depletion contributes to both motor and emotional difficulties, activating these circuits through intentional eye movement can be a simple, drug-free strategy to support overall well-being. Eye movement exercises—particularly those that require reaching for targets, scanning environments, or tracking objects—can stimulate the reward system, spark curiosity, and encourage re-engagement with the world. This is not only psychologically uplifting but also critical for reducing the sense of disconnection many with Parkinson’s report.

The BrainSpeed Ball® directly supports this kind of activation. As users follow unpredictable colored targets on the ball—often requiring upward gaze, quick direction changes, and full visual engagement—it naturally stimulates both the visual and emotional centers of the brain. This playful, focused attention helps awaken not only motor responses but also the dopaminergic system, promoting greater energy, alertness, and positive affect. It’s a fun and effective way to connect the brain’s mood centers to its movement centers.

Incorporating visual-motor activities into daily life can make a tangible difference in mood, especially when apathy or low motivation makes more traditional exercises difficult. With the right tools and guidance, eye movement training becomes a bridge—not only to better movement, but to a brighter, more engaged mindset in Parkinson’s.

Learn about our Parkinson's Specific Training Program Here:

Sources:

Prete, G., Capotosto, P., Zappasodi, F., & Tommasi, L. (2018). Looking upwards boosts brain’s response to fear and sadness. Scientific Reports, 8, 9098. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-27334-z
Hikosaka, O., Nakamura, K., & Nakahara, H. (2006). Basal ganglia orient eyes to reward. Journal of Neurophysiology, 95(2), 567–584. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00458.2005