The Power of Ping Pong: How a Simple Game Is Transforming Lives of Parkinson’s Patients

Bill Easterly: A Professor’s Ping Pong Journey

Bill Easterly, a renowned NYU economics professor and expert in global poverty and development, has discovered an unexpected way to manage his Parkinson’s disease: ping pong. At 67, Easterly, who was diagnosed six years ago, found that the rhythmic paddling and mental stimulation of the game have become a lifeline. “When I play ping pong, I just feel my brain come alive,” he shared. This passion has not only helped him cope with the symptoms of Parkinson’s but has also given him a sense of community and purpose. Easterly, who continues to teach full-time and recently completed a book, credits ping pong with helping him overcome the depression that followed his diagnosis. For him, the game is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to fight back against the disease, proving that Parkinson’s doesn’t have to define him.

PingPongParkinson: A Global Movement

Easterly is not alone in his journey. Thousands of Parkinson’s patients worldwide have found hope and healing through PingPongParkinson, a nonprofit organization that uses table tennis as a form of therapy. Founded by Croatian-American musician Nenad Bach in 2017, the program has grown to over 300 chapters in 25 countries, including a bustling group at SPIN New York Flatiron. Three times a week, seniors gather at the Flatiron location for two-hour sessions, where they play, share stories, and support one another. Bach, a Parkinson’s patient himself, discovered the transformative power of ping pong after it helped him regain his ability to play music. “If I help myself, why not others?” he said, recounting how the idea for PingPongParkinson was born. Today, more than 3,000 players worldwide are benefiting from this innovative approach to managing Parkinson’s.

The Science Behind the Game

Ping pong is more than just a fun activity—it’s a scientifically backed way to slow the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. Dr. Elizabeth Kera, a neuropsychologist and co-founder of the first New Jersey chapter of PingPongParkinson, explains that the game is particularly effective because it activates the brain’s basal ganglia, the region responsible for movement. By requiring hand-eye coordination, balance, and quick reflexes, ping pong improves motor function and cognitive skills like concentration and decision-making. “We’ve constantly been looking for a way other than medication to activate that area of the brain to produce more dopamine,” Kera said. Dopamine, often called the “feel-good hormone,” is crucial for movement, motivation, and reward processing—all of which are impacted by Parkinson’s. For many players, the results are nothing short of remarkable: improved mobility, a boost in mood, and even the disappearance of tremors.

A Community of Resilience

One of the most powerful aspects of PingPongParkinson is the sense of community it fosters. For Joan Greenberg, a 77-year-old retired writer and mosaic artist, the program has been a game-changer. Diagnosed in 2020, Greenberg credits ping pong with helping her lose her tremor and regain her confidence. “It’s created a social circle of people who are in the same situation,” she said. “We’re not just Parkinson’s patients; we’re proactive people who want to do something for ourselves.” At SPIN New York Flatiron, players start each session with stretching and introductions, a practice that helps counteract the soft speech often associated with Parkinson’s. The sessions are filled with laughter and camaraderie, as players of all ages and skill levels come together to play—and inspire one another.

Expanding the Reach

The success of PingPongParkinson has caught the attention of SPIN, the trendy table tennis club co-founded by actress Susan Sarandon. The two organizations have partnered to expand the program nationwide, with locations already open in cities like Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. SPIN’s Flatiron location offers a dedicated space for Parkinson’s patients, complete with neon signs and professional coaches to guide players. The partnership has made it possible for even more people to benefit from the program, regardless of their financial situation. “Nobody is turned away,” Bach emphasized. As the program grows, so does its impact, offering hope to the nearly 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s.

A Victory Over Parkinson’s

For the players of PingPongParkinson, every paddle stroke is a small victory against a disease that currently has no cure. Easterly, who can still beat his 33-year-old son at ping pong, summed it up perfectly: “It doesn’t really matter whether it’s winning tournaments or just kind of playing informal games with each other. I feel like there are really no winners and losers. It’s Parkinson’s that’s losing whenever we play a game. So that’s a wonderful feeling.” Through ping pong, these players are proving that even in the face of a chronic illness, life can remain full, joyful, and meaningful. As Bach put it, “It’s just like drinking water—you’re thirsty tomorrow and the next day. Water is always welcome.” For these athletes, ping pong is more than a game—it’s a way to reclaim their lives and inspire others to do the same.