Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's Disease

Overseen By Tatiana Godoy Bobbio, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Exercise limitations, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 12 months

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a non-contact Rock Steady Boxing class delivered to participants with Parkinson's Disease via an in-person community-based program. The study will also assess the overall feasibility of integrating an in-person community program within a neuromuscular course in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Specific Aim: To examine the effects of an in-person community-based Rock Steady Boxing class on the functional mobility, functional endurance, cardiovascular capacity, visual-motor reaction times, quality of life, mood/affect and overall physical activity completion and fear of falling on individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is Rock Steady Boxing safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

Research on boxing for Parkinson's disease shows it can improve balance, mobility, and quality of life, but there is limited information on safety and risks. Safety guidelines and professional training are important for safe implementation. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the Rock Steady Boxing treatment different from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?

Rock Steady Boxing is unique because it combines high-intensity physical and cognitive exercises specifically designed for people with Parkinson's disease, focusing on improving balance, mobility, and quality of life through boxing techniques like footwork and punching. Unlike traditional exercise programs, it emphasizes boxing-specific movements and has gained popularity despite limited scientific evidence on its efficacy. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's Disease?

Research suggests that boxing training can improve balance, mobility, and quality of life for people with Parkinson's Disease. Some studies have shown positive effects on motor symptoms, although the evidence is limited and more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Miguel Garcia, EdD

Principal Investigator

University of St Augustine for Health Science

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men and women aged 18 or older with Parkinson's Disease stages I-IV. Participants must have medical clearance, be able to complete assessments, and willing to log weekly exercises. It excludes those who can't do the assessments, are pregnant or may become pregnant, or have limitations that prevent exercise participation.

Inclusion Criteria

Medical clearance from a referring medical doctor

Willing to complete a weekly exercise log

My Parkinson's Disease is between stages I and IV.

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to complete health assessments.

Pregnant or is expected to become pregnant during study

Other reasons that may limit participation in exercises.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants attend Rock Steady Boxing classes twice a week, focusing on functional mobility, whole body strengthening, and non-contact boxing exercises

12 months

2 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in functional mobility, balance, and quality of life through various assessments

12 months

Assessments at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Rock Steady Boxing Class

Trial Overview The study tests a Rock Steady Boxing class for people with Parkinson's Disease in a community setting. It aims to see how this boxing program affects their mobility, endurance, heart health, reaction times, life quality, mood and fear of falling.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Rock Steady Boxing classes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Rock Steady Boxing classes are 60-90 minutes in duration twice a week and include the following 4 components: (1) active warm up (2) functional mobility exercises (3) whole body strengthening exercises and (4) non-contact boxing exercises.

Rock Steady Boxing Class is already approved in United States, Canada, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Rock Steady Boxing for:

• Parkinson's Disease
• Atypical Parkinsonian disorders including Multisystem Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Corticobasilar Degeneration

Approved in Canada as Rock Steady Boxing for:

• Parkinson's Disease
• Atypical Parkinsonian disorders including Multisystem Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Corticobasilar Degeneration

Approved in European Union as Rock Steady Boxing for:

• Parkinson's Disease
• Atypical Parkinsonian disorders including Multisystem Atrophy, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Corticobasilar Degeneration

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Lead Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

450+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

The FIGHT-PD study demonstrated that a 15-week boxing training program for 10 participants with early-stage Parkinson's disease was highly feasible, with a 97.7% adherence rate and no withdrawals, indicating strong participant engagement and safety.

Nine out of ten participants showed improvement in their motor scores on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), suggesting that boxing training may be an effective intervention for enhancing motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FIGHT-PD: A feasibility study of periodized boxing training for Parkinson disease. Blacker, DJ., Fazio, R., Tucak, C., et al.[2023]

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]

In a 20-week study involving 40 participants with Parkinson's disease, sensory exercise showed significant and lasting improvements in motor symptoms compared to boxing, as assessed by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.

The benefits of sensory exercise persisted even after the 10-week intervention period, indicating that this type of exercise may provide more enduring effects on motor symptoms than boxing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson's Disease: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Sangarapillai, K., Norman, BM., Almeida, QJ.[2022]

A 12-week boxing program called Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) showed significant improvements in balance, quality of life, and reduced depressive symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease, based on assessments from both boxers and their caregivers.

Participants reported enhanced ability to perform daily activities and a reduction in stigma associated with their condition, highlighting the program's positive impact on both physical and mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Counterpunching to improve the health of people with Parkinson's disease. Hermanns, M., Mastel-Smith, B., Donnell, R., et al.[2021]

In a study of 31 adults with Parkinson's disease, boxing training led to significant improvements in gait velocity and endurance over 12 weeks, while traditional exercise resulted in greater gains in balance confidence.

Both boxing and traditional exercise groups showed significant improvements in balance, mobility, and quality of life, highlighting the effectiveness of group exercise for enhancing overall function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community-based group exercise for persons with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. Combs, SA., Diehl, MD., Chrzastowski, C., et al.[2022]

Recent high-level studies indicate that targeted physical training, including strength and endurance exercises, can significantly improve mobility and balance in Parkinson's disease patients.

Speech therapy, particularly the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, has been effective in addressing speech issues in Parkinson's patients, but further research is needed to confirm the benefits of other therapies like occupational and swallowing therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical, occupational, speech and swallowing therapies and physical exercise in Parkinson's disease. Ransmayr, G.[2022]

Citations

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

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

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

FIGHT-PD: A feasibility study of periodized boxing training for Parkinson disease. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

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

Boxing vs Sensory Exercise for Parkinson's Disease: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

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

Counterpunching to improve the health of people with Parkinson's disease. [2021]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community-based group exercise for persons with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

7. Austria pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical, occupational, speech and swallowing therapies and physical exercise in Parkinson's disease. [2022]