Exercise Program for Parkinson's Disease

Overseen by Fay Horak, PhD, PT

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Must be taking: Levodopa

Disqualifiers: Major musculoskeletal, Neurological disorders, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests TURN-IT, an exercise program for people with Parkinson's Disease who have had falls. The program aims to improve turning ability by addressing stiffness, balance, movement speed, and changing movements.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you do not change your anti-parkinson medications during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Turning Boot Camp exercise program for Parkinson's disease?

Research shows that specific exercise programs, like the Turning Boot Camp, can improve turning ability and mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. Participants in similar programs reported high satisfaction and positive changes in their exercise habits, suggesting these programs are useful and beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Turning Boot Camp exercise program safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

The high-intensity exercise boot camp program for Parkinson's disease was found to be feasible and safe for participants, according to a study that evaluated its safety and feasibility. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How is the TURN-IT exercise program different from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?

The TURN-IT exercise program is unique because it focuses on task-specific movements to improve turning ability, which is a common challenge for people with Parkinson's disease. It combines personalized exercise sessions with educational workshops and social activities, making it a comprehensive approach that not only targets physical improvement but also encourages changes in exercise habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Research Team

Fay Horak, PhD, PT

Principal Investigator

Oregon Health and Science University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people aged 55-85 with Parkinson's Disease who have fallen in the past year. They must respond to levodopa treatment, be at certain stages of the disease, and can't have other major health issues or recent medication changes. Participants need to commit to attending exercise sessions without altering their medications or exercise habits.

Inclusion Criteria

I have Parkinson's diagnosed by a specialist, with symptoms like slow movement, tremor, stiffness, or balance issues not caused by other conditions.

My Parkinson's disease is at a moderate to advanced stage.

I am between 55 and 85 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have recently changed my medication.

I do not have major musculoskeletal, neurological disorders, or epilepsy, except for Parkinson's Disease.

I may have difficulty understanding or following instructions.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants in the TURN-IT group attend supervised, 1-hour classes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, focusing on exercises to improve turning ability

6 weeks

18 visits (in-person)

Control

Participants in the control group are tested at baseline and 6 weeks later, continuing their normal daily life

6 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with a focus on prospective fall rate over 12 months

52 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Turning Boot Camp exercise program (Behavioural Intervention)
• TURN-IT exercise program (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The TURN-IT program focuses on improving turning movements in those with Parkinson's by addressing common physical limitations caused by the disease. The study will compare a group doing this special exercise three times a week for six weeks against a control group that does not receive any intervention.

Participant Groups

Group I: TURN-IT group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the treatment group will attend supervised, 1-hour classes, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, one-on-one with the same exercise trainer, overseen by a physical therapist investigator.

Group II: No Intervention Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will be tested at baseline and 6 weeks later. They will go about their normal daily life during the 6 week period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

John Hunter

Oregon Health and Science University

Chief Medical Officer since 2024

MD, specific details unavailable

Ann Madden Rice

Oregon Health and Science University

Chief Executive Officer

FACHE certification, extensive leadership experience in academic health centers

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Dr. Diana W. Bianchi

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

MD from Stanford University

Dr. Alison Cernich

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Maryland

Findings from Research

A 4-week task-specific movement (TSM) exercise program significantly improved turning ability and clinical outcomes in 22 adults with early-to-mid-stage Parkinson's disease, as measured by various assessments including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

Participants in the exercise group showed better turning kinematics and reduced fall risk compared to the control group, suggesting that targeted exercise can enhance mobility and safety in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of task-specific movement program on en bloc turning in Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial. Khobkhun, F., Hollands, M., Tretriluxana, J., et al.[2022]

A four-day personalized educational and exercise boot camp for individuals with Parkinson's disease was found to be very satisfying, with all 8 participants expressing a desire to attend future events.

At a one-month follow-up, participants reported that the program was very useful and noted positive changes in their exercise habits, particularly enjoying cognitive stepping and dance-based movements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Boot Camp Program to Help Guide Personalized Exercise in People with Parkinson Disease. Domingos, J., Dean, J., Cruickshank, TM., et al.[2021]

A case report involving four participants with Parkinson's disease showed that multiple 3.5-day intensive exercise programs, called Movement Camp, were feasible and could help maintain or improve physical function over three years.

Participants engaged in high-intensity exercises targeting various skills, and most showed maintained or improved performance in balance, endurance, gait speed, and overall function after the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and longitudinal effects of repeated participation in an annual, brief and intense exercise program in individuals with Parkinson's disease: A case report. Readinger, J., Eastlack, M., Von Nieda, K., et al.[2022]

A 10-week home-based exercise program focusing on turning significantly improved turning performance and clinical outcomes in 20 individuals with Parkinson's disease, particularly in measures related to mobility and fall risk.

Participants in the exercise group showed notable enhancements in various metrics, including motor and rigidity scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, indicating that targeted exercises can effectively address challenges faced by individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can a targeted home-based exercise programme improve turning characteristics in individuals with Parkinson's disease? Khobkhun, F., Srivanitchapoom, P., Richards, J.[2022]

Both the Agility Boot Camp and treadmill training programs improved mobility in people with Parkinson's disease, with significant changes in measures like stride velocity and peak arm speed after 4 weeks of exercise.

The Agility Boot Camp specifically showed a greater improvement in postural sway compared to treadmill training, indicating that certain exercise types may offer unique benefits for mobility in Parkinson's patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring outcome measures for exercise intervention in people with Parkinson's disease. King, LA., Salarian, A., Mancini, M., et al.[2022]

Boxing exercises for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) showed potential benefits, including improved balance, mobility, and quality of life, based on two studies with 37 participants over 12 weeks, although the evidence is limited due to the small sample size.

Despite the growing popularity of boxing as an intervention for PD, the overall quality of supporting evidence is low, with many websites lacking verifiable data and safety guidelines, highlighting the need for more rigorous research and professional training for effective implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Boxing for Parkinson's Disease: Has Implementation Accelerated Beyond Current Evidence? Morris, ME., Ellis, TD., Jazayeri, D., et al.[2020]

A case series involving six patients with Parkinson's disease showed that a boxing training program led to significant improvements in balance, mobility, and quality of life after 12 weeks, with continued benefits observed at 24 and 36 weeks.

The program was found to be safe and feasible, with patients experiencing greater improvements earlier if they had mild Parkinson's disease, while those with moderate to severe disease required longer training to achieve similar benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Boxing training for patients with Parkinson disease: a case series. Combs, SA., Diehl, MD., Staples, WH., et al.[2022]

References

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

Benefits of task-specific movement program on en bloc turning in Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Boot Camp Program to Help Guide Personalized Exercise in People with Parkinson Disease. [2021]

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

Feasibility and longitudinal effects of repeated participation in an annual, brief and intense exercise program in individuals with Parkinson's disease: A case report. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can a targeted home-based exercise programme improve turning characteristics in individuals with Parkinson's disease? [2022]

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

Exploring outcome measures for exercise intervention in people with Parkinson's disease. [2022]

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

A High-Intensity Exercise Boot Camp for Persons With Parkinson Disease: A Phase II, Pragmatic, Randomized Clinical Trial of Feasibility, Safety, Signal of Efficacy, and Disease Mechanisms. [2022]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Boxing for Parkinson's Disease: Has Implementation Accelerated Beyond Current Evidence? [2020]

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

Boxing training for patients with Parkinson disease: a case series. [2022]