Exercise and Parkinson's: Comparing Interventions and Exploring Neural Mechanisms
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Parkinsons Disease |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 30 - Any |
| Updated: | 11/21/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 2013 |
| End Date: | July 2018 |
Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by substantial disability and reduced quality of
life, both of which can be attributed in large part to difficulties with walking. Evidence
suggests that exercise may be an important addition to traditional treatments, particularly
with respect to addressing walking problems. In particular, dance and treadmill training have
been individually shown to improve walking performance and quality of life. At present it is
not clear whether dance or treadmill training have similar effects or if one is superior to
the other. Furthermore, our understanding of the means by which these exercise interventions
convey benefits is extremely limited. This study aims to address these knowledge gaps by
directly comparing dance, treadmill training and stretching (control group). The primary area
of interest is the effects on gait, with secondary measures of disease severity, balance, and
quality of life. The investigators will determine not only the effects of the interventions
on walking performance, but will also investigate the effects of the interventions on
connections between different parts of the brain and on brain function during imagined
walking tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants will be
randomly assigned to dance, treadmill training, or a stretching/flexibility control group.
Participants will be assessed over a period of 6 months at 3 different time points. The
investigators hypothesize that both dance and treadmill training will lead to improvements in
forward walking, but that dance will result in greater improvements in backward walking
compared to treadmill training. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that the tango and
treadmill interventions will have different effects of brain function and brain connections.
The investigators expect dance to enhance the activity and connections of particular brain
regions and treadmill training to enhance activity and connections of different brain
regions. The investigators do not expect changes in brain activity or connections in the
control group.
life, both of which can be attributed in large part to difficulties with walking. Evidence
suggests that exercise may be an important addition to traditional treatments, particularly
with respect to addressing walking problems. In particular, dance and treadmill training have
been individually shown to improve walking performance and quality of life. At present it is
not clear whether dance or treadmill training have similar effects or if one is superior to
the other. Furthermore, our understanding of the means by which these exercise interventions
convey benefits is extremely limited. This study aims to address these knowledge gaps by
directly comparing dance, treadmill training and stretching (control group). The primary area
of interest is the effects on gait, with secondary measures of disease severity, balance, and
quality of life. The investigators will determine not only the effects of the interventions
on walking performance, but will also investigate the effects of the interventions on
connections between different parts of the brain and on brain function during imagined
walking tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants will be
randomly assigned to dance, treadmill training, or a stretching/flexibility control group.
Participants will be assessed over a period of 6 months at 3 different time points. The
investigators hypothesize that both dance and treadmill training will lead to improvements in
forward walking, but that dance will result in greater improvements in backward walking
compared to treadmill training. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that the tango and
treadmill interventions will have different effects of brain function and brain connections.
The investigators expect dance to enhance the activity and connections of particular brain
regions and treadmill training to enhance activity and connections of different brain
regions. The investigators do not expect changes in brain activity or connections in the
control group.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. diagnosis of Parkinson disease
2. at least grade 3/5 strength and normal joint ranges of motion in both legs,
3. vision corrected to 20/40 or better,
4. able to walk independently for 10 feet with or without an assistive device, 5) normal
gross somatosensory function in the feet (2-point discrimination, vibration, joint
kinesthesia, and light touch),
6) no history of vestibular disease, 7) no evidence of dementia
Exclusion Criteria:
1. medical condition for which exercise is contraindicated,
2. evidence of abnormality other than PD-related changes on brain imaging,
3. history or evidence of neurological deficit other than PD that could interfere, such
as previous stroke or muscle disease,
4. history or evidence of orthopedic or muscular problem,
5. failed to pass magnetic resonance imaging screening procedure
We found this trial at
1
site
660 S Euclid Ave
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
(314) 362-5000
Washington University School of Medicine Washington University Physicians is the clinical practice of the School...
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