Exercise for Parkinson's Disease
(EXCEL-PD Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that if you are taking Parkinson's disease medications, your doses must be stable for at least 2 months before starting. If you are not on these medications, you should not need them for the next 6 months. Other medications, like certain psychotropic drugs, need to have stable doses for at least 30 days before starting.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Exercise, Physical Activity, Workout, Fitness Training, No Exercise for Parkinson's Disease?
Is exercise safe for people with Parkinson's disease?
How does exercise differ from other treatments for Parkinson's disease?
Exercise for Parkinson's disease is unique because it focuses on improving movement and reducing disability through physical activity, such as dance, deep-water exercises, and boxing, rather than using medication. These activities can enhance balance, mobility, and quality of life, offering a non-drug approach to managing symptoms.311121314
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of a home-based, virtually-supervised, combined high intensity endurance and resistance training program in people with Parkinson's disease. It will also evaluate the effects of exercise on cognition and underlying exercise-related biological markers (biomarkers).
Research Team
Nijee Luthra, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for people aged 40-80 with Parkinson's disease who are stable on their PD medications or unlikely to need them in the next 6 months. They should be able to follow exercise instructions without significant cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≥23) and not have severe depression (BDI ≤16). Participants must not have major cardiovascular, metabolic, renal diseases, or other conditions that would make exercising unsafe.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a home-based, trainer-supervised endurance and resistance training program for 26 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Open-label extension (optional)
Participants in the waitlist control group are offered the exercise program after the 26-week study period
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Exercise
- No Exercise
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Collaborator