Abdominal Exercises for Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byMandar Jog, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Faizan Ahmed

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Abnormalities in the regulation of cardiovascular system due to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction may lead to a sudden decline in blood pressure (BP) upon standing, sitting or performing activities/exercises in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). This sudden decline in BP is known as 'orthostatic hypotension' (OH). OH may cause dizziness and/or black-outs, which may increase the risk of falls. As falls are potentially dangerous and disabling, it is important to prevent their occurrence. Keeping BP within normal range upon change of posture or with activities is therefore of great significance. Pooling of blood in the abdominal blood vessels may be one of the reasons for OH to happen. This research focuses on strengthening the weak abdominal muscles of the participants so that the compressive action of these muscles can help decrease such pooling. Therefore, the researchers hypothesize that strengthening the abdominal muscles shall prove to be helpful in controlling orthostatic hypotension by preventing a sudden decline in blood pressure of the participants upon assumption of upright posture. The secondary hypothesis is that there exists a significant difference in the response of the cardiovascular system to a variety of postures/activities/exercises when patients of PD having cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction are compared with patients of PD with normal ANS function. This study has two parts - stage 1 and stage 2. Only stage 2 is a randomized controlled trial. Stage 1 involves testing the functional integrity of the autonomic nervous system, and observation of the cardiovascular responses of the participants to different postures/activities/exercises and to the use of an abdominal binder (which is a compressive garment worn around the abdomen). Findings of stage 1 shall help the researchers better understand the cardiovascular abnormalities present in such patients at rest and with activity. Stage 2 involves strength training for the abdominal muscles that is to be done by the participant at her/his residence for a period of 3 months followed by a second round of autonomic function testing and observation of the cardiovascular responses to the use of abdominal binder. Findings of stage 2 shall help the researchers determine if strength training of the abdominal muscles can be a useful strategy to counter the cardiovascular abnormalities found in the participants during the testing in stage 1.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Parkinson's Disease patients aged 40-90, specifically those in stages 2 to 4 of the Hoehn and Yahr classification. It aims to help individuals who experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing postures, known as orthostatic hypotension.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

I am either male or female.

I am between 40 and 90 years old.

+1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have a serious heart artery condition.

I have nerve damage in my arms or legs.

I do not have conditions like heart failure, severe anemia, or dementia that could affect my study participation.

+2 more

Participant Groups

The study tests if abdominal strengthening exercises can prevent blood pooling that causes dizziness or black-outs due to orthostatic hypotension. Participants will do these exercises at home for three months with follow-up testing.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Abdominal Strengthening ExerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

All participants in this arm shall perform exercises for the strengthening of abdominal muscles for a period of three months in addition to the routine care provided to them for the management of Parkinson's Disease. The exercises are structured and need to be performed on a routine basis.

Group II: Routine CareActive Control1 Intervention

All participants in this group shall continue to obtain routine care for the management of Parkinson's Disease.