Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease

((10KSC) Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Disqualifiers: Heart problems, Uncontrolled blood pressure, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The 10,000 Step Club (10KSTC) is a 6-month community walking program for people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) and their caregivers in Las Vegas, Nevada (LV). This program will consist of several weekly, organized walking groups in local parks throughout the LV Valley. Participants in the program will use Nordic walking poles during the walks. Each walking group will meet once per week at a local park and will be supervised by walking group leaders from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. There will be three walking programs throughout the Las Vegas valley. Participants will be given a step watch to wear step counts will be tracked in real-time. The program is designed to get PwP out of their homes, cultivate a culture of connection with others with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to be collectively accountable for a common goal toward 10,000 steps per day.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles, Nordic Walking, Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles, 10,000 Step Club for Parkinson's Disease?

Research shows that Nordic Walking can improve mobility, gait quality, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Studies found that it can be as effective as standard rehabilitation, with benefits like better walking speed and balance, and these improvements can last for months after the training ends. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Nordic Walking safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

Research indicates that Nordic Walking is generally safe for people with Parkinson's disease, as studies report no adverse effects during the programs. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

How is the Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles different from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?

The Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles is unique because it combines walking with the use of poles, which helps engage the upper body muscles more than regular walking. This approach not only improves mobility and balance but also enhances the quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease, offering a cost-effective and enjoyable alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods. ^{1 2 4 5 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with Parkinson's Disease in Las Vegas, along with their caregivers. Participants should be able to walk and commit to a 6-month walking program using Nordic poles. There are no specific exclusion criteria provided, but typically those unable to meet the physical demands or follow the program may not qualify.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to participate in a 6-month study

I am between 30 and 85 years old.

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a neurologist.

Exclusion Criteria

Dementia (determined by completing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)

I have difficulty walking, as shown in my Timed Up and Go Test results.

I don't have health issues that stop me from exercising.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 6-month community walking program using Nordic walking poles, meeting once per week for a 60-minute walk at local parks.

6 months

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the walking program, including assessments of social isolation, fear of falling, and daily step count.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Community Walking Program with Nordic Walking Poles (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The '10,000 Step Club' tests whether a community walking program can help people with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). It involves weekly walks in local parks using Nordic walking poles, supervised by group leaders. Participants will also track their steps daily aiming for 10,000 steps.

Participant Groups

Group I: One hour per week of community walking for 6 months Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will participate in one, 60-minute group walk using Nordic poles at a local community park. Participants will be assessed before and after the 6-month program.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Gait and Balance Laboratory, 217 Bigelow Health Sciences Building, UNLV Las Vegas, NV

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lead Sponsor

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of 6-Week Nordic Walking Training on Functional Performance, Gait Quality, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease. [2021] Background and objectives: Motor rehabilitation improves physical mobility and quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). As specialized rehabilitation is expensive and resource-consuming, there is a need for simpler, cost-effective methods. The purpose of the study was to determine whether Nordic Walking (NW) training may support the management of motor disability in PD. Materials and Methods: Forty patients (median age 64.0 years, range 50-75 years) with idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages II-III, were randomly assigned to NW or standard rehabilitation (SR) programs, comprising twelve rehabilitation sessions conducted bi-weekly throughout the 6-week study period. Results: Median Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III scores were significantly reduced with NW, by 8.5, and with SR, by 6.0 points (both p < 0.001), with significantly greater improvement with NW than with SR (p = 0.047). Gait quality and balance control, measured using the Dynamic Gait Index, improved with NW by a median of 8.0 and with SR by 5.5 points (both p < 0.001), with slightly greater improvement with NW, compared to the SR group (p = 0.064). Quality of life, assessed using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), improved with NW by a median of 15 and with SR by 12 points, p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively. Conclusions: The 6-week Nordic Walking program improves functional performance, quality of gait, and quality of life in patients with PD and has comparable effectiveness to standard rehabilitation.

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking on four limbs: A systematic review of Nordic Walking in Parkinson disease. [2018] Nordic Walking is a relatively high intensity activity that is becoming increasingly popular. It involves marching using poles adapted from cross-country skiing poles in order to activate upper body muscles that would not be used during normal walking. Several studies have been performed using this technique in Parkinson disease patients with contradictory results. Thus, we reviewed here all studies using this technique in Parkinson disease patients and further performed a meta-analysis of RCTs where Nordic Walking was evaluated against standard medical care or other types of physical exercise. Nine studies including four RCTs were reviewed for a total of 127 patients who were assigned to the Nordic Walking program. The majority of studies reported beneficial effects of Nordic Walking on either motor or non-motor variables, but many limitations were observed that hamper drawing definitive conclusions and it is largely unclear whether the benefits persist over time. It would appear that little baseline disability is the strongest predictor of response. The meta-analysis of the 4 RCTs yielded a statistically significant reduction of the UPDRS-3 score, but its value of less than 1 point does not appear to be clinically meaningful. Well-designed, large RCTs should be performed both against standard medical care and other types of physical exercise to definitively address whether Nordic Walking can be beneficial in PD.

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic walking training in persons with Parkinson's disease: Individualized prescription-A case series. [2023] Physical therapy interventions for patients with Parkinson's disease prioritize task-specific exercise to address gait and motor dysfunction. Nordic walking (NW) is a moderate intensity exercise promoting walking speed and rhythm. This case series describes the application of customized NW training in individuals with varied severity of Parkinson's gait dysfunction and the outcomes specific to gait, motor and non-motor symptoms; and NW engagement and retention in the follow-up phase.

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson's disease. [2022] Nordic walking may improve mobility in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we examined whether the beneficial effects persist after the training period. We included 19 PD patients [14 men; mean age 67.0 years (range 58-76); Hoehn and Yahr stage range 1-3] who received a 6-week Nordic walking exercise program. Outcome was assessed prior to training (T1), immediately after the training period (T2) and-in a subgroup of 9 patients--5 months after training (T3). At T2, we observed a significant improvement in timed 10-m walking, the timed get-up-and-go-test (TUG), the 6-min walking test and quality of life (PDQ-39). All treatment effects persisted at T3. Compliance was excellent, and there were no adverse effects. These preliminary findings suggest that Nordic walking could provide a safe, effective, and enjoyable way to reduce physical inactivity in PD and to improve the quality of life. A large randomized clinical trial now appears justified.

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic Walking Improves Gait Power Profiles at the Knee Joint in Parkinson's Disease. [2019] We investigated the impact of Nordic walking (NW) on gait patterns in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) following a 6-week NW familiarization. Twelve participants with PD and 12 healthy older adults took part in a gait analysis walking with and without poles (NP). Results showed larger knee power (knee extensor: K2) on the most affected leg in NW compared to NP (P = .01). On the less affected side, larger power absorption (knee extensor: K3) was found during preswing (K3) compared to older adults in both NP and NW (P = 0.01). NW showed longer stride length and single support time (P

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gait velocity and step length at baseline predict outcome of Nordic walking training in patients with Parkinson's disease. [2019] The impact of Nordic walking (NW) in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been investigated in several studies but results are inconsistent. This may be due to different cohorts studied and the heterogeneity of their PD symptoms which impact the outcome of NW. This study aimed at determining predictive factors for a positive effect of NW on PD.

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic Walking for the Management of People With Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review. [2022] It is well known that physical exercise is the main therapeutic element of rehabilitation programs for people with Parkinson disease (PD). As traditional forms of exercise can guarantee significant health benefits, the emergence of nonconventional physical activities, such as Nordic walking (NW), may add positive effects.