Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease

(ActivatePD Trial)

Overseen By Tiffany B Salido, DPT, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Disqualifiers: Neurological diseases, Weight, Height, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how an 8-week walking program affects people with Parkinson's disease, comparing those who use walking poles to those who do not. Researchers aim to determine if using poles alters activity levels and walking ability. Participants must walk at least three times a week and track their progress. This trial suits individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's who can walk independently, with or without a cane. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance walking programs for Parkinson's patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does require that there are no changes in Parkinson medication that affect Levodopa levels during the study period.

What prior data suggests that this walking program is safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

Research shows that using walking poles in an exercise program is safe for people with Parkinson's disease. Studies have found that Nordic Walking, which uses poles, not only improves walking, balance, and quality of life but is also safe. No reports of serious side effects make it a well-tolerated option.

The safety of walking without poles is also good. As a common activity, walking without poles usually doesn't pose unusual risks. Both methods are considered safe and may help increase overall activity levels in people with Parkinson's. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential benefits of using walking poles as part of an independent walking program for people with Parkinson's Disease. Unlike traditional treatments that often involve medication or physical therapy, this approach focuses on enhancing mobility and balance through a simple, accessible method. Walking poles might offer additional stability and support, which could help improve gait and reduce the risk of falls. By comparing programs with and without poles, researchers aim to determine if this technique can provide significant advantages in managing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

What evidence suggests that this trial's walking programs could be effective for Parkinson's disease?

This trial will compare two walking programs for people with Parkinson's Disease: one using walking poles and one without. Research has shown that incorporating walking poles in an exercise program can greatly improve walking ability, balance, and quality of life for people with Parkinson's Disease. Studies found that this method, known as Nordic Walking, not only boosts physical performance but also enhances walking style and overall well-being. Meanwhile, walking without poles can also improve quality of life and reduce Parkinson's symptoms. Both methods increase activity levels and can lead to better health outcomes for participants. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tiffany Salido, DPT, PhD

Principal Investigator

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with Parkinson's Disease who are able to walk independently. Participants will be involved in an 8-week walking program and must commit to walking at least three times a week. They should also be willing to wear an activity sensor and keep a log of their walking.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

I can walk on my own, with or without a cane.

I am medically cleared to walk on my own.

Exclusion Criteria

Use of walking poles during walking for exercise more than 4 times during the last year (hiking with poles permitted)

Allergy to medical-grade adhesive

I have Parkinson's but no other neurological diseases like stroke or MS.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments and are assigned to study groups

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Independent Walking Program

Participants engage in an 8-week walking program with or without walking poles

8 weeks

Weekly check-ins via email or phone

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants' walking measurements and activity levels are reassessed

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are contacted to complete questionnaires and report on walking activities

3 months

Contact via email or phone

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Independent Walking Program using Walking Poles
• Independent Walking Program without Walking Poles

Trial Overview The study aims to see if using walking poles affects activity levels and improves walking in people with Parkinson's over an 8-week period, compared to those not using poles. It involves pre- and post-program assessments, including wearing an activity sensor.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Walking Poles Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants who will be using walking poles

Group II: No Walking Poles Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants who will not be using walking poles

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

2,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 6-week Nordic Walking (NW) program significantly improved motor function in Parkinson's disease patients more than standard rehabilitation, with a greater reduction in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores (8.5 vs. 6.0 points).

NW also enhanced gait quality and balance control, showing improvements in the Dynamic Gait Index and quality of life, as measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, indicating it is an effective and cost-effective alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

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. Szefler-Derela, J., Arkuszewski, M., Knapik, A., et al.[2021]

In a study of 69 individuals with Parkinson's disease, walking activity was found to significantly contribute to mobility within the home and neighborhood (Levels 1-3), indicating its importance for maintaining functional independence.

However, walking activity did not correlate with mobility beyond neighborhood limits (Levels 4-5), suggesting that increased walking does not necessarily lead to greater community mobility for those with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are Mobile Persons With Parkinson Disease Necessarily More Active? Zajac, JA., Cavanaugh, JT., Baker, T., et al.[2023]

A 6-week study involving 12 participants with Parkinson's disease showed that Nordic walking (NW) significantly improved knee power and gait patterns compared to walking without poles.

Participants using NW exhibited longer stride lengths and increased single support time, indicating that this activity could help individuals with Parkinson's disease achieve a more functional and stable walking pattern.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic Walking Improves Gait Power Profiles at the Knee Joint in Parkinson's Disease. Zhou, L., Gougeon, MA., Nantel, J.[2019]

A review of nine studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 127 Parkinson's disease patients, indicated that Nordic Walking may have beneficial effects on motor and non-motor symptoms, although the evidence is not definitive due to study limitations.

The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the UPDRS-3 score, but the change was less than 1 point, which is not considered clinically meaningful, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed RCTs to better assess the efficacy of Nordic Walking in Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking on four limbs: A systematic review of Nordic Walking in Parkinson disease. Bombieri, F., Schena, F., Pellegrini, B., et al.[2018]

A 6-week Nordic walking program significantly improved mobility and quality of life in 19 patients with Parkinson's disease, with benefits observed immediately after training and maintained 5 months later.

The study reported excellent compliance and no adverse effects, suggesting that Nordic walking is a safe and effective exercise option for enhancing physical activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson's disease. van Eijkeren, FJ., Reijmers, RS., Kleinveld, MJ., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06908135

Effects of an Independent Walking Program With ... Study Purpose: The purpose of the study is to compare changes in activity levels and walking in people with Parkinson disease after an 8-week independent ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7404466/

Effectiveness of 6-Week Nordic Walking Training on ... 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 ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-parkinson-disease-2-2025-35be9

Walking Program for Parkinson's Disease (ActivatePD Trial) Research shows that Nordic Walking, which involves using poles, can improve walking ability, balance, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease.

4. ijmsc.org ijmsc.org/view/effect-of-nordic-walking-training-on-walking-capacity-and-quality-of-life-for-people-with-multiple-sclerosis

Effect of Nordic Walking Training on Walking Capacity and ... Different studies show that walking with poles, and thus activating the arms as well as the legs, improves both motor and nonmotor symptoms in ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences/articles/10.3389/fresc.2022.1010097/full

Effects of nordic walking exercise on gait, motor/non- ... Results: Statistically significant improvements found post-training and retained at 3-month follow-up included 6-MinWT, daily step count, 10mWT, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9614339/

Effects of nordic walking exercise on gait, motor/non-motor ... This study demonstrated that NW exercise was a safe, feasible, and sustainable mode of aerobic exercise for this sample of participants with ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06605183

Community Walking Program for People with Parkinson's ... Participants in the program will use Nordic walking poles to promote stability and upright posture, and to encourage full body movement and arm use. There will ...